WBTT Announces Auditions for ‘Stage of Discovery’

March 28, 2025 | Sarasota

In the summer of 2016, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) offered its first-ever Stage of Discovery summer musical theatre camp, a five-week pilot program offered at no charge to the 25 teen participants. Since then, scores of teens have had the opportunity to experience the joy of performing. A number of Stage of Discovery alumni have gone on to courses of study in college focused on the performing arts as well as achieved professional acting status not only on WBTT’s own mainstage but also regional and Broadway stages.

This year, from June 9-July 13, actors, dancers and singers ages 11-18 are invited to take the stage with WBTT for the 10th anniversary of the Stage of Discovery program. The participating students will be under the direction of WBTT founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs and Artistic Associate/Education Director Jim Weaver. In addition, WBTT staff and guest instructors, including choreographers, actors and vocal coaches, will lead sessions, with students taking lessons in dance, acting, singing, improvisation and creative writing as well as master classes focused on projections and other behind-the-scenes functions. The program culminates with at least two public performances of an original musical showcasing the students’ talents on July 12-13.

Students are required to audition for the program. In-person auditions will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 12-5 p.m. Participants must be prepared with a 1-2-minute monologue and a song. A dance combination is optional but strongly encouraged. Students who are not able to audition in person are invited to submit a video audition, comprising a brief monologue, short song, and an optional dance combination.

Complete instructions, audition tips, and submission details can be found at westcoastblacktheatre.org/classes/stage-of-discovery.

“While WBTT is dedicated to producing the finest dramatic and musical theatre, my dream – my true calling and purpose for founding this organization – has always been to help young aspiring artists who may otherwise be overlooked to develop their talents and have the opportunity to achieve success,” said Jacobs. “Each year, it brings me so much joy to see the students, many of whom have no previous formal training, to discover, develop, and share the talents that were always inside of them, while providing them with a basic understanding of the art of theatre.”

Stage of Discovery will take place at the Westcoast Black Theatre (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program is entirely free, including lunch, thanks to generous support from the community.

For questions about the audition process or to submit requested materials, contact Peterly Jean Baptiste at pbaptiste@westcoastblacktheatre.org.