Spotlight | Acts of Brilliance: Visionary Nate Jacobs and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

By Joshua Thomas Bray | Photos by Sorcha Augustine | September 2023

Standing proudly on the corner of Orange Avenue and 10^th Street is the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT). For almost a quarter of a century, it has been paving the way for diversity and inclusion on stage. WBTT was founded by visionary Nate Jacobs and shines like a brilliant gem, dazzling patrons from all ages and backgrounds. Like all gems, it was not made without pressure and needed some polishing to reach the grandeur of what it is today. And, like all good stories, this one started with a call to action.

If the name Nate Jacobs sounds familiar, it’s because he has been a resident and active member of the Sarasota performing arts scene for decades. A graduate of Florida A&M and a truly gifted artist, known for his singing, acting, directing, and playwriting talents, Jacobs is a well-respected man of action and a beacon of guiding light for Black artists throughout the state of Florida. Looking back on how it began, Jacobs recalls, “I wanted nothing more than to simply sit back and shy away from the spotlight, to be a quiet artist.”

If he had, WBTT would not exist.

In the late ‘80s, Jacobs was convinced to step into the world of performing arts by his brother’s teacher. Though he did not know it at the time, this was the first step toward creating WBTT. In the following years, Jacobs recognized a lack of authentic voices for African Americans in the theater. Black narratives and talent were being misrepresented, casually minimized, and even avoided altogether. This motivated Jacobs to question his place in life and stirred him to ponder what it would take to create a way to truly represent the African American experience. He had to choose between a quiet artist life or a life requiring him to stand center stage in the spotlight to face adversity. Jacobs was called to action. Inspired by his experiences, he envisioned a platform that would celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. With a vision in mind, in 1999, with a small group of dedicated artists and supporters, Jacobs founded the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

The early years of WBTT were marked by financial challenges, but Jacobs’ unwavering determination and the troupe’s undeniable talent garnered attention and support from local community members such as Jerry Springer. Each time the going got tough, Jacobs chose to step blindly into the unknown and have faith that everything would work out. Even when the future looked so bleak that he contemplated dissolving the entire troupe and moving to New York, he chose to believe in himself and the power of WBTT. 

As the years went by, under Nate Jacobs’ direction, the WBTT produced shows that told heart-wrenching and deeply moving stories of resilience, struggle, and triumph from the true African American perspective. The theatre troupe focused on presenting works by African American playwrights, as well as classics and contemporary plays that resonated with diverse audiences. As the WBTT gained momentum, it expanded its reach and became recognized not only in Sarasota but also in neighboring cities and beyond.

Today, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is an integral part of the Sarasota arts community. Its performances entertain, educate, enlighten, and initiate important conversations about the past, present, and future. The troupe fosters a greater understanding and appreciation for African American culture and history through powerful storytelling and exceptional talent.

Apart from their regular performances, WBTT is more than just a theatre troupe—it’s a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage a broad base of patrons and audiences, support the development of aspiring artists, and build self-esteem in youth of color. WBTT actively engages with the community through outreach programs, providing platforms for aspiring young artists to explore their talents and express themselves through theatre. The troupe also conducts workshops, acting classes, and mentorship opportunities to nurture the next generation of diverse artists. In collaboration with local schools, the WBTT also reaches out to students through educational performances and workshops that address themes of diversity, tolerance, and empathy. Through these initiatives, Nate Jacobs and his team are inspiring a new generation of artists and art enthusiasts.

Jacobs and the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe are a testament to the power of perseverance and a commitment to inclusivity. Through his vision and the dedication of the Troupe’s talented ensemble, Jacobs and WBTT continue to enrich Sarasota with stories that resonate across cultures and generations. 

WBBT’s 2023-2024 season is themed “Simply the Best!” “We are presenting exactly that. Simply the best! The best talent, the best stories, the best entertainment,” says Jacobs. The show lineup promises an array of performances that continue to showcase the powerful and immense talent of Jacobs, his creative leaders, and the WBTT ensemble. 

WBTT 2023-2024 SEASON:

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

October 11 – November 19, 2023

Set on a Caribbean Island, this Tony award-winning musical will move and exhilarate you, as the story of a peasant girl searching for love and her place in the world unfolds. This sweeping production is based on the novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy and showcases Caribbean rhythms and instruments as it deals with complicated social issues of race, class, and affairs of the heart. 

A SOLDIER’S PLAY

January 18 – February 18, 2024

This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is set in the segregation-era South of 1944. On a Louisiana Army base, two shots ring out. A Black sergeant is murdered. A series of interrogations triggers a gripping barrage of questions about sacrifice, service, and identity in America. One persistent investigator must race against his white leadership to unravel the crime before they unravel him.

RUBY

February 28 – April 7, 2024

On August 3, 1952, the unthinkable happened: a Black woman murdered a white doctor in Live Oak, Florida, guaranteeing a conviction for the woman bold enough to commit such a shocking crime and bringing celebrated writer Zora Neale Hurston to town to cover the story for a northern newspaper. A powerful and haunting world-premiere musical.

MARVIN GAYE: PRINCE OF SOUL

April 17 – May 26, 2024

Sheldon Rhoden, one of Sarasota’s favorite WBTT troupe members, reprises the role of Marvin Gaye in the most-requested WBTT show. This original musical begins in the 1950s at the start of Gaye’s career with Motown and follows its twists and turns until his untimely death in the mid-1980s. A gifted and innovative talent, Gaye blazed the trail for the continued evolution of popular Black music.

JOYFUL! JOYFUL!

November 29 – December 30, 2023

Celebrate the season with high-spirited, uplifting songs as only Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s singers, dancers, and musicians can perform them! A blend of new takes on traditional holiday, gospel-infused and pop songs, the production offers a joyful, soulful twist on your favorite seasonal music. 

To learn more about the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe or to purchase tickets, please visit westcoastblacktheatre.org.