SCD + WBTT

WBTT ARTISTS
Nate Jacobs (WBTT Founder & Artistic Director) is the
founder and artistic director of Westcoast Black Theatre
Troupe. A graduate of Florida A&M University, Nate has
written, composed, directed, and performed in many
shows as an actor, singer, dancer, and comedian. He
trains and mentors youth in the performing arts through
programs such as Stage of Discovery, WBTT’s summer
musical theatre intensive program. Nate has received
several awards and accolades through the years. The
Sarasota County Branch NAACP Youth Council recognized
Nate as one of its 2012 Men of Valor. In 2015, he was honored with the prestigious
Larry Leon Hamlin Producer Award at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-
Salem, N.C., “for his contributions to Black theatre specifically and American theatre in
general.” Nate received the Arts Leadership Award for Artistic Achievement from the
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County in 2018. In 2021 he received the Perfect
Pitch Award from Key Chorale, which recognized him as a driving force in the arts and
for his collaborations with other arts organizations, including American Roots: The
Gospel Experience, a series of concert performances with WBTT performers and Key
Chorale presented in three area churches in the fall of 2019. In December 2021, The
New York Times published a profile of Nate and WBTT. The story traces Nate’s journey
from teacher to performer to founder of WBTT and his support for other Black artists.
MUSICIANS
Etienne “EJ” Porter (Music Director & Musician) is
a professional Music Producer, Music Director, Musician,
and the Owner of Drummerboy Entertainment – a fullservice
music production and entertainment company
based in Sarasota. With over 15 albums under his belt,
EJ has produced songs, which have charted on Billboard
as well as worked with Grammy Award-winning Artists
Marc Anthony and Joe Perry of Super-band Aerosmith.
While attending Florida International University in Miami,
Florida, EJ had the pleasure of touring and working with
artists Trick Daddy Dollar, P. Diddy, and Mary J. Blige. Gospel artists include The HLP
Love Campaign, Dr. Bobby Jones, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Walter Hawkins, and
DeWayne Harvey. Most recently, he started a music program in the rural community of
Machangulo, Mozambique. With the help of friends and donors, EJ was able to outfit
a school with full musical instruments and recording equipment for students to learn
music. From National Black Theater Festivals to The Bay Sarasota and other national
events, EJ is a well-sought-after music director and producer. EJ is happy to be joining
SCD and WBTT to present an artistic masterpiece of singing and dance that audiences
will enjoy from the first song to the last.
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