Since 1999, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has been entertaining and educating audiences and aspiring artists. Now is the time to ensure the future of WBTT. Our Solid Gold Campaign is a multi-year, two phase fundraiser that aims to enhance our facilities, provide resources to deepen and sustain our current programs and secure our financial wellbeing.
Over the past few years, we have seen significant cost increases in artist housing and fees, insurance, salaries, and technical theatre elements. We’ve also dealt with multiple hurricanes that caused show cancellations and damage to our buildings. Through dedication and creative management, each year our team has balanced our budget or created a small surplus. But our long-term goal is to build reserves for capital replacement and repairs of our arts campus and raise annual funds for sustainable artist fees, housing and salaries. We can’t do any of this without your help.
Our Solid Gold Campaign has two phases. Phase 1’s goal is enhancement and expansion. Phase 2’s goal is to grow our endowment to ensure our future for generations to come.
Campaign Phase 1: Expand and sustain our unique and vital programs – Goal $5 million
Young people and aspiring artists are our future, and our unique and vital programs help younger generations continue to shape the theatre and beyond. Phase 1 aims to support and grow our actor and technical staff training programs, artist-in-residence programs, internships and succession planning. It will also fund our investment in New Play Development, and it sustains our Young Artist Programs, New Playwrights’ Program, Stage of Discovery Summer Theatre Intensive Program for youth, and in-school education programs.
Phase 1 also raises funds to make improvements to our owned artist housing, theatre arts campus and parking areas.
Campaign Phase 2: Grow Our Endowment
Legacy commitments and contributions to our endowment fund will provide reliable annual funds to sustain our facilities and our programs for the long-run. Currently WBTT has less than $1 million in endowment; we aim to add $5 million with this campaign.
If you would like to contribute to any or all our campaign goals or inquire about naming opportunities, please contact Development Director Debra Flynt-Garrett at her email dfgarrett@wescoastblacktheatre.org or call her directly at 941-404-7755 to support WBTT’s future!