Nate Jacobs

Actor, singer, comedian, playwright, composer and director Nate Jacobs is a driving force in Florida’s theater scene. For over 30 years, this graduate of Florida A&M University has worked extensively in the community, training and mentoring youth in the performing arts. He founded Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) in 1999, serving as founder and artistic director.

Jacobs has created and directed original and adapted works, such as Ruby, Syncopated Avenue, Soul Man, Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul, Love Sung in the Key of Aretha , A Motown Christmas, The Sam Cooke Story, Jazz Hot Mamas, and How I Got Over: A Gospel Musical , to name a few. His shows have won acclaim from critics and the public, resulting in sold-out performances and generous community support.

Nurturing the next generation of artists has always been at the heart of Jacobs’ plans for WBTT. Programs offered by WBTT include the Young Artist Program and Independent Artist Program, the New Playwrights Series, and Stage of Discovery, a free summer musical theatre camp for minority students that is now in its eleventh year.

WBTT’s growth and success have resulted in national acclaim, as Jacobs and WBTT were featured in a multi-page article in The New York Times in 2021. Recently, Nate was honored to be part of the 2026 IMPACT 50: Southwest Florida's Most Influential Nonprofit Leaders. The Troupe also garnered two positive show reviews in the Wall Street Journal and was featured in an award-winning documentary, “This Light of Mine: The Making of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe,” produced by WEDU Public Media.

As a result of Jacobs’ outstanding contributions to young people, the community, and Black theatre, he has been the recipient of many honors from organizations such as the Sarasota County Branch NAACP Youth Council, the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, Goodwill Manasota, and more.

Jacobs was honored with the prestigious Larry Leon Hamlin Producer Award during the 2015 National (now International) Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., “due to his contributions to Black theatre specifically and American theatre in general.”

Now, WBTT is on the precipice of its 27th theatre season, with the theme “’Rhapsodies of Rhythm.” The popular arts organization continues to showcase world-class productions while mentoring artists of color through innovative programs offered throughout the year.