ECC Dancers
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc. | Sarasota, FL
Friday, April 25, 2025
5:15 PM (E)
To schedule an audition appointment please contact WBTT Casting Coordinator Adrienne Pitts at
apitts@westcoastblacktheatre.org.
SPT
$761 weekly minimum (SPT 8)
Equity chorus dancers for Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's 2025-26 Season (See breakdown).
All should come dressed in comfortable clothing that they can move in, wear proper footwear for musical theatre/jazz choreography, which can include character shoes, general jazz footwear or flat-soled sneakers. Also, bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Binz Building
1012 N Orange Ave
Sarasota, FL 34236
Our rehearsal studios are in the Binz Building. The building has a ramp leading up.
Expected to attend:
Directors: Nate Jacobs, Jim Weaver, Chuck Smith
Choreographers: Donald Frison
WBTT Casting Coordinator: Adrienne Pitts
Equity Stage Manager: Juanita Munford
Music Accompanist: LaTerry Butler
See breakdown for production-specific personnel.
See breakdown for production-specific dates.
https://www.westcoastblacktheatre.org/
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
Notice: Audition Call Type: ECC
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Sep 9, 2025
Production Run: Wednesday October 8, 2025 – Sunday, November 9, 2025 (32 performances)
SYNOPSIS: Purlie tells the story of Purlie, a self-taught preacher who returns to his home in the South with the intent of opening an abandoned church and ringing the bell of freedom. The problem is that Ol' Cap'n is holding Purlie's inheritance due to a long-lost cousin. With the help of Ol' Cap'n's son, Charlie, Purlie manages to outsmart the white-haired old-timer to win a victory for freedom.
Purlie Victorious Judson – Lead. Black man. 20s to 30s. Strong singer. Fast-talking preacher.
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins – Lead. Black woman. 20s. Strong singer.
Charley Cotchipee – Supporting. White man. 20s to 30s. Strong mover.
Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee – Supporting. White man. 60s to 70s. Crotchety southerner.
Gitlow Judson – Supporting. Black man. 30s to 40s. Older brother to Purlie. Strong singer.
Missy Judson – Supporting. Black woman. 30s to 40s.
Idella Landy – Featured singer. Black woman. Any age.
3 male ensemble – Black. Any age. Strong singers and strong dancers.
3 female ensemble – Black. Any age. Strong singers and strong dancers.
1 gospel singer - Black. Any age, any gender. Extremely strong singer.
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025
Production Run: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, to Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (5 weeks)
Total performances: 34
SYNOPSIS/Note from Director: All of us at WBTT are delighted to bring back the holiday favorite, Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. I like to call it our Christmas card to the community. This year I’ve invited Donald Frison, our talented Resident Choreographer, to be the assistant director, in addition to choreographing the show. Because dance plays an integral part in how the story of Black Nativity is told, Donald’s artistic vision is a wonderful contribution to the production. I’m thrilled with the amazing job he has done, and I know our audiences will be too. This year’s version of Black Nativity features new faces and new voices, including a few of our youth artists from our education program Stage of Discovery. This is the second year we are presenting Black Nativity in our new theatre which makes me very excited. My Christmas wish for you is that Black Nativity will inspire hope, joy, and peace this holiday season and throughout the year!
Narrator – Black man or woman. Any age. Sings. Storyteller.
Angel – Black woman. Extremely strong singer. Any age.
Mary – Black woman. Mother of Jesus, wife to Joseph. 20s. Extremely strong singer.
Joseph – Black man. Husband to Mary. 20s – 30s. Extremely strong singer.
Ensemble Men (6) – Any race. Strong singers and dancers. Any age.
Ensemble Women (6) – Any race. Strong singers and dancers. Any age.
Director: Chuck Smith
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025
Production Run: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – Sunday, February 8, 2026
Total performances: 39
SYNOPSIS: “In a strip of Detroit known as Paradise Valley, a man named Blue struggles to keep his father’s business, Paradise Club, afloat during a push towards gentrification. The city wants to kick African-Americans in the community of Black Bottom out by buying up properties up and down the strip. Blue, who is haunted by the memory of his father, teeters on the edge of madness as he decides whether selling the club is selling his soul. Along with the city, another man in Blue’s band, P-Sam, and a mysterious sexy stranger named Silver, begin to fight for ownership over the club, sending Blue and his woman Pumpkin into more confusion. Can Blue’s friend and confidante, Corn, keep Blue from falling into insanity, or will he be caught in Silver’s web? Can Pumpkin stand up for herself and tell Blue what she really feels, or will she concede to his demands? The people who occupy Paradise Club begin to turn on each other and change as the city of Detroit changes around them. Dominique Morisseau illuminates the effects of gentrification and the erasure of Black History on the African-American community with the first play in The Detroit Project, leaving us hungry for more. She continues her exploration with her next plays Detroit ‘67 and Skeleton Crew.”
Blue – Black man, mid to late thirties or early forties. Proprietor of Paradise Club. Handsome, mysterious, sexy. Quietly dangerous. Aloof. A hard shell and a hard interior. Battling many demons. A gifted trumpeter.
Pumpkin – Black woman, mid to late twenties to early thirties. Pretty in a plain way. Simple, sweet. Waitress, cook, and caretaker of Paradise Club. A loving thing with a soft touch. Adores poetry.
P-Sam (AKA Percussion Sam) – Black man, twenties to thirties. Busybody, sweet talker, hustler. Always eager for his next gig. Percussionist.
Corn (AKA Cornelius) – Black man, late forties to early fifties. Slightly chubby. Easygoing and thoughtful, a real sweetheart with a weakness for love. The piano man.
Silver – Black woman, late thirties to early forties. Mysterious, sexy, charming. Spicy. Gritty and raw in a way that men find irresistible. Has a meeeeaaaannnnn walk.
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
Production Run: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, to Sunday, March 29, 2026
Total performances: 39
SYNOPSIS: Featured as a new hit musical at the National Black Theater Festival “HOW I GOT OVER” returns to WBTT’s new theater as a part of their 26th season. This high-spirited show raises the rafters and celebrates the music of great singers like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Staple Singers, James Cleveland, and other gospel greats! “HOW I GOT OVER” is another original favorite created by Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs. It features traditional songs like “Travelin’ Shoes,” “Amazing Grace” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” combined with more upbeat, spirited, popular tunes such as “Elijah Rock,” “Oh Happy Day,” and “When The Saints Go Marching In” to bring you a show that’s sung from WBTT’s heart. Experience the joy and hope of gospel music in this high-energy, electrifying show. You haven’t seen gospel like this before!
Narrator/Ensemble - Any race. Any age. Sings. Storyteller.
Preacher/Ensemble - Any race. 20s to 30s. Preacher. Harmonics and preacher tones. Strong singing. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Ensemble (4) - Any race. Any age. Strong singers. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Male Dance Ensemble (3) - Any race. Any age. Strong dancers and strong singers. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Female Dance Ensemble (3) - Any race. Any age. Strong dancers and strong singers. Show celebrates gospel and jazz.
Director: Nate Jacobs
Rehearsals: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Production Run: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to Sunday, May 17, 2026
Total performances: 40
SYNOPSIS: This new musical comedy, adapted and created by artistic director Nate Jacobs and his writing partner, Michael Jacobs, celebrates the spirit, identity, and cultural essence of a people. The show spotlights and celebrates the sayings, beliefs, values, fables, stories, and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation and become the fiber and foundation that establishes the conventions and traditions of a people. The show features original, unique, fun, and clever music. It guarantees to be an experience filled with reminiscent and festive joy.
Ensemble - Any race. Any age. Any gender. Strong singers and able to move well. Strong actors with good comedic timing.
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