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 thrilled to celebrate it with  YBGB (Young, Black, and Giving Back)! This year, donations to WBTT during the annual Give 8/28 campaign will support our 25th Anniversary season. Earlier this year, over $32 million in grants for Florida's arts and culture organizations were cut which has deeply affected several arts organizations around the state, including non-profits. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to celebrating and honoring Black Heritage through our mission to produce professional theatre that promotes and celebrates African American history and experience, engages a broad base of patrons and audiences, supports the development of a dynamic group of aspiring artists and builds self-esteem in youth of color. We are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous $11,000 matching gift from a pool of enthusiastic donors participating in this national giving day. 

By giving during 8/28, you would support our season as well as our education and outreach programs which include our Young Artists Showcase program, where talented young performers showcase their talents by writing, directing, and performing on the theatre’s main stage in their production; Stage of Discovery, a free five-week summer musical theatre intensive program serving minority students. Jazzlinks, which brings history lessons to life for area students, and Rhythm and Tales, an elementary education program that uses musical fables to explore themes of kindness, sharing, and moral choices.  

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. As one of only three professional Black theatre companies in Florida and the only one on Florida’s west coast, WBTT has brought 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 2024-2025, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present its 25th season with the theme, “Black Heritage.” Running from October 09, 2024, through May 25, 2025. Soul Crooners Solid Gold Edition will have you dancing in your seat, August Wilson’s fierce and moving Fences will transform you, you’ll stomp your feet to the tuneful score of Five Guys Named Moe and be captivated by the world of tap dance with the world premiere Syncopated Avenue.

To learn more, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.  

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