SARASOTA, FL – Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe was recently awarded a grant of $30,000 from the John J. Clopine Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. These funds will support WBTT’s upcoming fall gala, “A Night at the Savoy”; “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: Celebrating His Legacy” in January; “April Fools Fete,” the spring fundraiser; and expenses related to WBTT’s Education and Outreach Building.
“We are so grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for its continued support of our organization,” said Julie Leach, executive director of WBTT. “As we resume our regular theater season and in-person events, this funding will offer tremendous support for our work and events while helping to ensure our continued positive impact on the community.”
“A Night at the Savoy” takes place on December 4 at the Sailor Circus Arena; the Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is January 17, 2022 at the First Methodist Church; and the April Fools’ Fete will take place on April 4, 2022 at Michael’s On East.
The Education and Outreach Building includes: a first-floor education wing; a 4,000-square-foot space that mainly functions as three multi-purpose education rooms but also transforms into an event space with a capacity of up to 200 dining guests for theatre or private functions; a second floor with weekday box office, conference room, and administrative offices; a library; and a 6,000-square-foot rooftop garden terrace event space for patrons and other community organizations.
For more about WBTT, call (941) 366-1505 or go to westcoastblacktheatre.org.
About Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
The mission of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is to produce professional theatre that promotes and celebrates African American history and experience, engages a broad base of patrons and audiences, supports the development of a dynamic group of aspiring artists and builds self-esteem in youth of color. Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call 941-366-1505.
About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $421 million in more than 1,500 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $48.9 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $323 million to area nonprofit organizations to our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.