Nate Jacobs News

In October 2019, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Key Chorale came together for an exuberant collaboration with a?oeAmerican Roots: The Gospel Experience.a?? The arts organizations explored the rich tradition of Black gospel music in America through three sold-out performances at churches in Sarasota and Venice.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has awarded scholarships to six deserving students.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has announced a change to its 2020-2021 season lineup. WBTT has replaced 'Broadway in Black' with 'The Soul Crooners' to open the season; this decision was made with respect to budgetary and logistical considerations due to the coronavirus.

WBTT will continue to offer entertainment options virtually, with the family-friendly musical, a?oeRockin' Down Fairytale Lane.a??

For Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, the decision to go dark for the remainder of its 20th anniversary (2020-2021) season due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was particularly painful as it had just opened its newly-renovated theater building to patrons in January.

In the face of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe officials have canceled the remainder of WBTT's 2019-2020 performance season. In addition to the final three weeks of the run of a?oeYour Arms Too Short to Box with God,a?? WBTT has canceled the highly-anticipated world-premiere musical a?oeRubya?? and the season's closing production, a?oeFlyin' West.a??

Due to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations advising the cancellation or postponement of gatherings of more than 50 people in the face of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe officials have closed the current production of 'Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.' The show was slated to run through April 5; the organization a?" which has committed to paying the 'Your Arms Too Short' artists, band and crew through the scheduled end of the run a?" faces a potential financial loss of $50,000 for each week that the theatre remains closed.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) has announced its 21st anniversary 2020-2021 season. In addition to four regular-season shows, the schedule includes a special holiday show, available outside of the subscription. Running from October 7, 2020 through June 6, 2021, the regular season shows are a?oeBroadway in Black,a?? a?oeEubie!,a?? a?oePipelinea?? and a?oeSmokey Joe's Café.a?? The holiday show is a?oeBlack Nativity.a??

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is pleased to present the seventh year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with self-produced, one-person shows. The first Young Artist showcases of the 2019-2020 season, featuring popular WBTT artist Derric Gobourne Jr., take place Sunday, March 15 (this show is sold out) and Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.

On February 10, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe celebrated the grand opening of its newly-renovated theater. In attendance were WBTT leaders and supporters, civic and foundation leaders, and representatives from C. Alan Anderson Architect, PA and Willis Smith Construction.

Lil & Louis Armstrong Come to Life in Sarasota

Pure Life Theatre Company will be taking over the lease of 3801 Hillsborough St Suite 113, Raleigh, NC 27607 from Sonorous Road Theater effective January 1, 2020. Sonorous Road will continue to produce shows independently from locations which will be announced as a part of marketing for those productions. 

According to Variety, HBO will be bringing back EUPHORIA for a second season. Read more about the news from Variety here!

The drama series EUPHORIA begins its eight-episode season SUNDAY, JUNE 16 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO. Multimedia superstar Zendaya ('Spider-Man: Homecoming') heads the ensemble cast of the show, which follows a group of high-school students as they navigate a minefield of drugs, sex, identity, trauma, social media, love and friendship. The series is created and written by Sam Levinson (HBO's 'The Wizard of Lies'), who also directs five episodes.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupes's Black Nativity A Must See Sarasota Holiday Tradition

Marvin Gaye Comes To Life at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Latest Production

WBTT Rocks Fairytale Lane

The 2018 Ten-Minute Play Festival Best Play: "The Card Game" by Michael Bille, with actors Neil Levine and Richard LeVene; Runner-Up Play: "Cliche" by Keith Whalen, with actors Andrea Dovner, Ashley Strand and Harry Lipstein; and Audience Favorite Play: "Death of Honor' by Bernard Yanelli, with actors Tom Aposporos, Shawn Cacciola and James Kassees.

Under the direction of Dr. Joseph Holt, The Choral Artists of Sarasota, previously known as Gloria Musicae, an ensemble of 40 singers, presented Too Hot to Handel, their gospel version of Handle's Messiah last year to a crowd that wanted more. This year they moved the performance that packed the Opera House last year to the Van Wezel Hall and added the State College of Florida Concert Choir, the Festival Singers of Florida and the Manatee School for the Arts Chamber Choir.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Triumphantly Stages A Motown Christmas