Nate Jacobs News

In its 23rd season, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will explore the struggles and triumphs of people who sought to realize their own version of the American Dream. Whether their dreams came true or were deferred, their stories make for compelling, can't-miss shows on the WBTT stage.

The Hermitage Artist Retreat, in collaboration with the Greenfield Foundation, will present the 14th annual Hermitage Greenfield Prize Celebration Weekend, April 8-10, 2022, culminating in the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner on Sunday, April 10.

For more than a decade, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offered the lively and music-filled fundraiser, the April Fools Fête, in the ballroom at Michael's On East. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the event was presented virtually and, in 2021, WBTT presented the event to a smaller crowd outdoors on its campus. This year, the popular arts organization is thrilled to be back at Michael's On East for a country-themed celebration on April 4.

Back by popular demand – from its world-premiere run during the summer of 2017 – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present “Broadway in Black,” updated for 2022. In this musical revue created and adapted by WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, WBTT will salute Broadway musicals with songs that span decades and a wide variety of musical styles that will appeal to audiences of all ages.

Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, Semkhor Productions and FOUNDERS+ held their first in a planned series of artist master classes, titled “Conversations with Nate Jacobs.” Featured artist for the first program was Danielle Moné Truitt, who is currently starring in the NBC series “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”

On February 14, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Modern Marimba present “A Place for You,” an hour-long concert celebrating Black history. The program features Steph Davis – co-founder of Modern Marimba – on marimba and several collaborating artists.

Due to continuing breakthrough positive COVID-19 test results and a few cases among the “Ruby” cast and crew, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has made the difficult decision to cancel its impending and highly-anticipated world-premiere musical, “Ruby.” 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s world-premiere musical “Ruby,” which was originally scheduled for the 2019-2020 season but delayed due to COVID-19, has been pandemic-delayed once again.

The world premiere show “Ruby” is a musical retelling by WBTT founder/artistic director Nate Jacobs and his brother, Michael Jacobs, of the shocking killing of a White doctor in Live Oak, Florida, by a Black woman – Ruby McCollum – who was tried in the case and eventually committed to Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, Florida.  

The cancellations. The story in the industry of the last week or so has been reminiscent of March 2020, though as many observers and epidemiologists have reminded theatre fans - it isn’t as bad as that. The cancelled performances are a sign that testing programs are working.

The world premiere show “Ruby” (which was originally scheduled for the 2019-2020 season but delayed due to COVID-19) is a musical retelling by WBTT founder/artistic director Nate Jacobs and his brother, Michael Jacobs, of the shocking killing of a White doctor in Live Oak, Florida, by a Black woman – Ruby McCollum – who was tried in the case and eventually committed to Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, Florida.  

The Ensemble Theatre brings Houston a new holiday tradition with A Motown Christmas. In it's 45th season, the Ensemble invites you to come and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this exciting, family-fun Christmas musical. Featuring holiday favorites such as 'Deck The Halls', 'This Christmas', and 'Mary, Did You Know', and Motown Classics such as 'My Girl' and 'Stop in the Name of Love' ,this musical is sure to get you in a Christmas spirit with a Motown flair.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present its first WBTT Voices program of the season with “Playing Through: The Story of Ann Gregory,” on November 10. The free program will explore the struggles and triumphs of Ann Gregory, a woman of color who was a pioneer in the elite and competitive world of golf. The program will include a panel discussion and the showing of preview clips from the movie.

Westcoast Black Theater Troupe has entered into a collaboration with Semkhor and FOUNDERS+ to support the high-level education of local artists and the production of digital arts projects. The effort will bring nationally-recognized artists and filmmakers to the area to provide master classes at the theater; these classes will be offered free to WBTT artists and the community and provide a wealth of knowledge on acting and content creation.

Westcoast Black Theater Troupe has entered into a collaboration with Semkhor and FOUNDERS+ to support the high-level education of local artists and the production of digital arts projects.

As Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is poised to present its 22nd anniversary 2021-2022 season, the popular arts organization is continuing to be cautious in its approach to operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. With subscription and individual tickets for the entire season still on hold, WBTT has released tickets only to its 2021-2022 season opener, 'Eubie!'

While patrons of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe may be more accustomed to hearing R&B and soul at WBTT, the blues holds an esteemed place in Black music history and culture and the local arts organization is thrilled to feature it.

This year's recipients and their respective benefactors are: Todd Bellamy II, Alan P. Kurland Artist Development Scholarship; Charlotte Corporan, Dr. Jody Beresford & Dr. Robert Mayer Artist Development Scholarship; Ariana Fitzgerald, Marie McKee & Robert Cole Artist Development Scholarship; Amaya Glover, Shelley & Sy Goldblatt Artist Development Scholarship; Tay Marquise, Jack & Priscilla Schlegel Artist Development Scholarship; Astrid Victoria McIntyre, Kitty & John Cranor Artist Development Scholarship; Maicy Powell, Marian Moss Artist Development Scholarship; and Aleah Williams, Charlayne Hunter-Gault Artist Development Scholarship.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present the eighth year of its annual Young Artist Program, through which Troupe members are able to showcase their talents with self-produced, one-person shows.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Stage of Discovery musical theatre summer  camp students will present two performances of 'The Technicolor Musical' to culminate its 2021 camp program. The young artists will sing numerous uplifting songs and send a message of love, understanding, peace and harmony to a world that needs it now, more than ever.