Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe breaks ground on improvements
The theater kicked off the first phase of its two-phase capital improvement plan.
By
Anna Brugmann
| 12:09 p.m. July 10, 2017
Arts + Culture
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A hallmark of a well-received theater performance is the standing ovation at the end of the show.
Such was the case on July 10 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe as staff, board and patrons commemorated the Heart and Soul capital improvement campaign.
Several times during the program WBTT supporters rose from their seats to honor the work of Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, Executive Director Julie Leach and many others in their efforts to fundraise $6 million for the theater's multiphase improvement project.
Architectural renderings of plans for the Binz building Drawing by C. Alan Anderson Architect, P.A.
"All of you have played your part in today," Jacobs said. "I could not have done this alone ... Today is remarkable."
The theater symbolically broke ground on the $4 million first phase of the project, which includes improvements to the street-facing Binz building and the parking lot.
Renovations will also include a first-floor educational wing, a 4,000 square foot event space and a box office and consolidate the theater's administrative staff. The second phase of the plan, which is expected to be fully funded by December 2018, includes improvements to the interior of the theater building.
"To all of you for all that you do, I can only say thank you," City Commissioner Willie Shaw said. "Going forward, let's do more."
Samual Hicks and Chairwoman of the Capital Campaign Doris Johnson
Board member Lois Watson and Karen Morgan
Leon Campbell and Michael Springer
Lead donor for the capital improvement project Gerri Aaron takes a bow during the ground breaking program at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. It was announced that the theater building would be named for Aaron.
Vice Mayor Liz Alpert stands next to Sarasota City Commissioner and former Mayor Willie Shaw as he addresses eventgoers.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Executive Director Julie Leach addresses WBTT donors and patrons.
Community Foundation of Sarasota County President and CEO Roxie Jerde laughs during the ground breaking program.
Audience members give Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs a standing ovation before he addressed theater donors and patrons.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs sings "How Great is Thy Faithfulness" before thanking theater patrons and donors.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs thanks WBTT patrons and donors for their support of the theater's capital campaign.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe summer campers preform for WBTT donors and patrons before the symbolic ground breaking.
Derric Gobourne, Jamal Everett and Todd Bellamy perform with other Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe summer campers.
Alitash Tafesse, Sasha Ocean and Maicy Powell along with other Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe summer campers preform for WBTT donors and patrons.
Cookie Bloom and Susan Straus
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Executive Director Julie Leach, Sarasota City Commissioner Willie Shaw, City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn Koch, Vice Mayor Liz Alpert and WBTT founder Nate Jacobs symbolically break ground.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe board members symbolically break ground on improvements to the theater's campus.
