Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida Inc

Thank you for visiting Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Give 8/28 page!

August is Black Philanthropy Month, and we’re proud to celebrate it in partnership with YBGB (Young, Black, and Giving Back)! This year, contributions to WBTT during the annual Give 8/28 campaign will directly support our Young Artist Program—an initiative designed to uplift and showcase emerging talent. The Young Artist Program provides gifted young performers with a unique opportunity to take center stage in their very own MainStage production. Performers are involved in every step of the creative process, from writing, directing, and performing to marketing and promotion. These special performances give audiences an intimate look at some of our most promising young talents. WBTT gives each artist a budget to work with, and they receive the ticket revenues from their show to further their education or artistic projects. Your gifts help us underwrite a production budget for each of the three young artist showcases planned for the 2025-2026 season. Thanks to a generous match every dollar you give, up to $7,500, goes twice as far to support our Young Artists shows. With your support, we can help these young artists bring their visions to life and their stories to the stage!

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc. (WBTT) was founded in December 1999 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization in Sarasota, Florida, by local actor, singer, director, and playwright Nate Jacobs, who continues to lead WBTT as our Artistic Director. As one of only three professional Black theatre companies in Florida and the only one on Florida’s west coast, WBTT brings a powerful presence of diversity to the region’s cultural landscape. The company has gained a reputation for high-quality, thought-provoking, and electrifying performances and has received numerous awards and recognitions. It has grown tremendously from a grassroots organization to a successful not-for-profit, professional theatre with a five-show season at its cutting-edge theatre arts center.  

In 2025-2026, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present its 26th season with the theme, “Soul of a People.” Running from October 08, 2025, through May 17, 2026. This season’s lineup includes the vibrant Purlie, the gripping drama Paradise Blue, the electrifying gospel celebration How I Got Over, the spirited new musical comedy Lies, Spells, & Old Wives’ Tales, and our holiday show, Black Nativity, the poetic celebration of the nativity story by Langston Hughes.

To learn more, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.  

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