By the time Nate Jacobs tells the story of the eagle, his voice softens. He recalls standing in Germany years ago, glove stretched out as a speck in the sky grew larger. An eagle plummeting with grace and force until it landed eye-to-eye with him. The image stuck. Today, that photo sits on his office windowsill, a reminder of what Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has become: a sanctuary, a launching pad and a place where artists, audiences and stories learn to fly. Jacobs, the founder and artistic director of WBTT has truly found his calling. “Sometimes I think to myself, thank you God for whatever you have done to make my heart an obedient one,” he says. “Because I would have never foreseen the other side of this and known I could even make a difference like this.”

That obedience, listening to his instincts, even when told his vision may not work in Sarasota, has shaped one of the city’s most dynamic cultural institutions. WBTT isn’t just another theater company; it’s an engine of original storytelling, particularly works that spotlight the African American experience in all its complexity, humor and resilience.

The Storyteller’s Craft

For Jacobs, inspiration often begins with an old story, a cultural thread or a voice from the past. “Usually the inspiration comes from a story that intrigues me,” he says, “something that’s worthy of being reimagined or retold, something that uplifts our mission, justice, equality or simply celebrates beauty.”

Take Ruby, the musical inspired by Ruby McCollum, a wealthy Black woman in 1950s Florida whose trial captivated headlines. A WBTT patron first brought the story to Jacobs nearly 15 years ago. He enlisted his brother, Michael, to help shape it. Though the subject matter was heavy, full of racism, power and injustice, Jacobs saw music as the key to making it digestible. “Let’s put some music to this story, just to lighten it up and deliver this message to our people,” he recalls saying.

Or consider Lies, Spells, & Old Wives’ Tales, a new musical comedy inspired by the proverbs and sayings passed down through generations of Black women. “Those women never finished high school. Some of them didn’t go to school at all, but they held their families together,” Jacobs says. “Their way of passing wisdom was through those sayings and we wanted to celebrate that.”

A Safe Space

But Jacobs knows theater is more than entertainment. It’s spiritual nourishment. “Theater is a soothing salve for our spirits and souls,” he shares. “It’s water for the thirsty, food for the hungry.”

That philosophy resonates with WBTT’s audiences, who return again and again for the company’s mix of original works, classic musicals and straight plays. Before WBTT’s conception, some Sarasota residents were skeptical about whether the city’s arts scene would support a Black theatre company. More than two decades later, WBTT’s productions routinely sell out. 

The demand confirms what Jacobs knew instinctively: audiences crave authenticity.

“Nate taps into experiences that feel both personal and universal,” explains Julie Leach, Executive Director for the troupe. “Whether it’s a fun musical like Motown Christmas or cultural celebration like Lies, Spells, & Old Wives’ Tales, people resonate with those stories, and they want to be part of that moment.”

The Eagle’s Nest

Beyond the productions, WBTT has become what Jacobs calls an eagle’s nest, a space for nurturing artists and audiences alike. Original works in particular create opportunities for performers to bring their full selves to the stage in roles shaped by family, humor and lived experiences. For many artists, that kind of environment is rare, which is why so much talent remains deeply rooted in the company.

That metaphor extends to the community, too. For many, WBTT is more than a theater; it’s a safe space, a place to gather, reflect and celebrate. Audiences come not only for the music and laughter but also for the experience. As one patron once told Jacobs following a performance: “Everybody in our country needs to sit and watch what I just watched.”

As the company enters its 26th season, Jacobs remains committed to planting new seeds, whether that means tackling stories of Afro-Latino culture, exploring Shakespeare with an all-black cast or writing original musicals that celebrate everyday wisdom. 

That eagle photo of he and the eagle staring at one another sits in his office, as both a reminder and a promise: that every story and the artists who walk into WBTT have a place to land, and a place to learn how to soar.