WBTT NEWS
The passing of the inspirational Maya Angelou cannot go unnoticed by WBTT, especially because two of our board members were among the last visitors Dr. Angelou had in her home on May 18th. Margie Nellum Lee, whose brother was a long-time friend of this icon, Lois Watson and Dr. Francine Brown spent time touring Dr. Angelou’s magnificent sculpture garden and guest house and then talking to her about life, education, the arts, and philosophical ideals. As a WBTT board ambassador, Margie brought Dr. Angelou information on the troupe, which she found impressive. Although frail, Dr. Angelou’s graciousness, profound intellect, and inner spirit kept them spellbound while in the presence of this most revered woman.
On May 16-May 18, WBTT’s Soul Crooners returned to Winston-Salem, North Carolina for a command performance before hundreds of appreciative and enthusiastic audience members. We are so proud that Soul Crooners was the only show invited to return after performing at the National Black Theatre Festival in July 2013. Once again, the Soul Crooners was the hottest show in town!!
For our first summer show, WBTT is presenting Black Is The Color Of My Voice. We’re bringing this hit show from Shanghai for a limited run from June 10 -22, 2014. Apphia Campbell, a founding WBTT member, wrote and performs in this dynamic one-woman show based loosely on the life of jazz singer Nina Simone. Critics say Apphia “transfixed, charmed, entertained and moved a packed theater” with her “powerful singing voice and expressional performance.” From Sarasota, she takes the show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Get your tickets today at www.wbttsrq.org or call our box office at 941-366-1505.
WBTT invites you to a special reception on Sunday, June 8, at 4:00 PM at our theatre to meet and dialogue with Apphia Campbell and Nate Jacobs, WBTT Founder and Artistic Director. Apphia, originally trained by Nate as a young performer, will speak about her journey from Sarasota to China where she teaches the arts and performs with her own theatre company. Also, she will answer questions about her one woman show Black Is the Color Of My Voice. Admission is free, and a cash bar will be available. Please RSVP to Travis by 4:00pm June 6th. He can be reached at 941-366-1505.
Back by popular demand, our second summer show is the fabulous Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul directed by Nate Jacobs and once again will star Sheldon Rhoden as Marvin Gaye. This fantastic performance is running from July 16-August 10th. These tickets are selling fast so please go to our website or call 941-366-1505 to get these sizzling tickets!
We are now selling tickets for our 2014/2015 season. These four dynamic shows included within our subscriptions are Little Shop of Horrors (October 15-November 16), Knock Me a Kiss (January 7-February 8), Jazz Hot Mamas (February 25-March 29), and Spunk (April 15-May17). The season subscriptions are only $92 per person, but seats are filling up fast.
Last, but certainly not least, our special holiday performance of Black Nativity isrunning from December 2-December 21. After many years of requests from so many supporters, we are excited to announce that Nate Jacobs is producing this performance and we can’t wait to see you there!
In closing, we want to express our sincere gratitude for all of the support that you have given and continue to give to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
