The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is a nonprofit theater, located in Sarasota, Florida. In 2022, the WBTT gained national attention for "inclusion" while concurrently representing African-American history and the greater Black community.[1] WBTT productions have been highlighted and reviewed in national publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.[2]
| Founded | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nate Jacobs |
| Headquarters | Sarasota, Florida , United States |
| Website | Official website |
The theater company was founded by actor/producer/director Nate Jacobs[3][4] who continues to serve as artistic director and received the Larry Leon Hamlin award in August 2022 for his contribution to Black Theater[5] Julie Leach has been the company's executive director since her 2015 appointment.[6]
After spending much of its first fifteen years in temporary, rental spaces,[7] in 2017, WBTT began work on a new, larger space on their campus which opened in 2020 with a production of Caroline or Change.[8][9] Among their most well-known productions is Black Nativity, which they first performed in 2003.[10]
The WBTT has been a longstanding community member within a predominately white demographic and thus enjoys a diverse audience and patronage.[11] WBTT promotes theater to youngsters through local scholarships.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Sarasota's Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe gains national attention for entertainment, enlightenment". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS). 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
- ^ Teachout, Terry. "'The Piano Lesson' Review: The Year of August Wilson". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
- ^ Handelman, Jay. "Sarasota's WBTT rides a soul wave back to National Black Theatre Festival". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
- ^ Morris, Bob (2021-12-15). "For This Theater Leader, a Mission That Goes Beyond the Stage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
- ^ "Nate Jacobs to receive producing award at National Black Theatre Festival | Arts and Entertainment". Your Observer. 2015-06-08. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
- ^ Reichert, Nick (2015-09-04). "Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe names Julie Leach as new executive director". Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ Lowry, Klint (2020-01-08). "WBTT is the little theater that could – and did". Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ Kipling, Kay (2020-01-12). "Westcoast Black Theatre Faces the Past—and Its Own Future—with 'Caroline, or Change'". Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ Kipling, Kay (2017-07-13). "Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Raises the Roof". Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ Handelman, Jay (2022-11-27). "Westcoast Black Theatre celebrates 'Black Nativity' with gospel and spirituals". Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ "A New Wave of Prominent African-American Retirees is Enriching and Changing Our City". Sarasota Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ "Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Awards Scholarships". Sarasota Magazine. Retrieved 2022-11-07.