Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Casts Its Spell Once Again
Nate Jacobs, Lies, Spells & Old Wives Tales, and the Ever-Evolving Soul of Sarasota Theater
There are some theaters you attend for entertainment. And then there are theaters that feel like living history — places where stories are not merely performed, but passed hand to hand like treasured heirlooms. Sarasota’s Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has become exactly that: a cultural cornerstone, a creative sanctuary, and one of the most emotionally vibrant artistic institutions in Florida.
At the center of it all stands Nate Jacobs — founder, artistic director, playwright, composer, mentor, and visionary force. Since founding WBTT in 1999, Jacobs has built far more than a theater company. He has cultivated a movement rooted in resilience, storytelling, heritage, and joy.
Now, as the company closes its 2025-2026 “Soul Of A People” season, Jacobs once again turns memory into music with the world premiere of Lies, Spells & Old Wives Tales, running through May 17 in the Donelly Theatre.
And what a deliciously layered production it is.
Part musical comedy, part cultural reflection, part porch-side storytelling session, Lies, Spells & Old Wives Tales dives into the sayings, superstitions, warnings, folklore, and family truths passed down through generations — especially through the voices of matriarchs.
You know the ones.
“If your ear rings, somebody’s talking about you.”
“Knock on wood.”
“Don’t let a black cat cross your path.”
“Don’t buy a man shoes or he’ll walk out of your life.”
These are not simply old sayings in Jacobs’ world. They are emotional artifacts. Tiny pieces of inherited survival. Echoes of kitchens, churches, beauty salons, and front porches where wisdom was delivered with equal parts humor, caution, and rhythm.
The production pulses with music, movement, and theatrical energy, but beneath the laughter is something deeper — an exploration of how culture survives through oral tradition. Jacobs himself has said the inspiration came from memories of his mother and grandmother, whose stories stayed with him long after childhood.
That personal connection is what gives WBTT productions their unmistakable heartbeat.
Unlike corporate touring productions that can sometimes feel polished yet distant, WBTT shows breathe. They feel handmade in the best possible sense — emotionally specific, spiritually alive, and deeply connected to community. You can feel the audience leaning forward, recognizing pieces of themselves in the stories unfolding onstage.
The troupe itself has become known for its electrifying ensemble work, blending gospel, jazz, soul, R&B, dance, and theatrical storytelling into productions that feel uniquely American while also deeply rooted in Black cultural experience. The performers in Lies, Spells & Old Wives Tales move with infectious energy, wrapped in vibrant costumes and driven by original music composed by Jacobs himself.
And perhaps that is WBTT’s true magic trick: accessibility without sacrificing artistry.
The company has managed to build a fiercely loyal and wonderfully diverse audience in Sarasota — no small accomplishment in a region once considered an unlikely home for a thriving Black theater company. Yet over the past quarter-century, WBTT has transformed into one of the area’s most respected arts organizations, gaining national attention while maintaining its grassroots spirit.
Its growth story is remarkable.
For years, the troupe operated in temporary and rented spaces before eventually establishing its permanent home on Orange Avenue. In 2020, WBTT unveiled its expanded campus and Donelly Theatre, signaling not just survival, but artistic arrival.
Yet despite the expansion, there is still an intimacy to the WBTT experience that larger institutions often lose.
Jacobs has always emphasized mentorship alongside performance. Through programs like Stage of Discovery, the Young Artist Program, and the New Playwrights Series, WBTT actively nurtures the next generation of performers and creators. In an era where arts education is increasingly endangered, that commitment feels not only admirable but essential.
And the future appears especially bright.
WBTT recently announced its upcoming 2026-2027 “Rhapsodies of Rhythm” season, featuring productions including Sophisticated Ladies, BEEHIVE – The ’60s Musical, Stevie: A Stevie Wonder Revue, and even Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
That programming choice says everything about Jacobs’ artistic confidence. WBTT is no longer simply proving it belongs. It is expanding its vocabulary, taking creative risks, and redefining what regional theater can look like in the American South.
But perhaps what makes WBTT most compelling is its refusal to separate entertainment from humanity.
At a time when many arts organizations chase trends, WBTT continues to chase connection. Its productions celebrate heritage without becoming trapped in nostalgia. They acknowledge pain while still making room for laughter, dancing, flirtation, music, and communal joy.
In Lies, Spells & Old Wives Tales, that spirit comes alive beautifully.
The show reminds audiences that stories — even funny little superstitions — carry emotional DNA. They connect generations. They preserve identity. They keep people tethered to one another even as the world changes around them.
And maybe that is the real spell Nate Jacobs has cast over Sarasota all these years.
Not illusion.
Not nostalgia.
But remembrance.
For more information on the West Coast Black Theater Troupe..https://www.westcoastblacktheatre.org/
For Summer Programs..
About Stage of Discovery
An important aspect of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s mission is to continually develop young people’s artistic skills and self-confidence.
In WBTT’s Stage of Discovery summer musical theatre intensive program, approximately 30 students ages 10-18 are coached in acting, singing and dancing by creative professionals. They also gain behind-the-scenes experience with set and costume design. The program culminates in a public performance of an exciting musical.
Stage of Discovery is intense, focused, fun — and FREE to participating students, thanks to generous donors! It’s designed for youth who are serious about developing their artistic talents. An audition is required.
