JoAnna Ford Will Lead HEART WIDE OPEN at WBTT

On Saturday, June 6, JoAnna Ford returns to the stage after a long hiatus to perform “JoAnna Ford's Heart Wide Open: A Musical Lesson of Vulnerability" at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

Through a rich mix of jazz, soul, and storytelling, Ford reflects on her return to the stage after seven years due to a life-altering diagnosis: sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that threatened her ability to sing. Ford uses humor, humility and divine grace as she breaks down her journey of Black womanhood and artistry into three parts: where she is now, the grief cycle, and reclamation and joy. Ford's songs and stories of healing through music and her triumph over adversity will leave patrons feeling entertained and uplifted.

A native of Baltimore, Md., Ford has used her gifts to perform all over the world in a variety of genres, from classical and musical theatre to R&B and hip-hop. She performed in the Broadway national tour of “The Lion King” before joining Norwegian Cruise Line as a soprano trio member and female swing for its production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway show, “After Midnight.” While aboard the ship, she also premiered and produced her own soul and R&B cabaret called “Lady Love Songs: A Tribute to the Pop Divas.”  

She has performed as a member of the USO Show Troupe, supporting military service members and their families around the country. While on her Fulbright Scholarship in Germany, she recorded with the gospel label “Jazz for Jesus.” She also recorded the album “Truth to Power” with an independent hip-hop group, Intifada.

As a classically trained soprano, Ford has poured charisma and grace into works by composers including Amadeus Mozart, Claudio Monteverdi, Gluck and Scott Joplin. With Harlem Opera Theatre, she breathed life into the role of Cleota from H.L. Freeman's forgotten opera, “Voodoo.”  

Ford performed with WBTT for three seasons, starting in 2017, in shows such as "Girl Groups of the 1960s,” “Broadway in Black,” and “Raisin the Musical.” She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance, and a bachelor's degree in Music from Morgan State University.

“We feel so fortunate to have been blessed with JoAnna's significant talents for several years, before she was forced to take time off to attend to her health; her immense vocal talents and Stage Presence certainly caught our patrons' attention,” said WBTT Founder/Artistic Director Nate Jacobs. “Her sheer grit and determination to return to the stage is very clear, when you see ‘Heart Wide Open.' We know audiences are going to be so inspired by JoAnna's story!”

WBTT's Independent Artist Program enables seasoned professional artists to create, direct and star in their own productions, with support from WBTT's technical, marketing and ticketing teams. Since the program launched in 2023, a number of WBTT's most popular artists have presented sold-out Independent Artist Program showcases.

Ford's performance takes place Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. in The Donelly Theatre at WBTT (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota).