Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is proud to announce it has, for the seventh consecutive year, awarded WBTT Artist Development Scholarships to deserving students. This year, WBTT has provided eight young, aspiring artists with scholarships of $2,000 each, for a total of $16,000 in scholarships.

This year's recipients are: 

• Jamar Camp: He is pursuing a Doctorate of Music Education at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Camp is a professional music teacher and musician who frequently plays in the band for WBTT’s mainstage shows and events. Camp has been awarded the scholarship named by Kitty and John Cranor.  

• Jayde Dauley: A senior at Ringing College of Art & Design, majoring in Film, Dauley has worked closely with WBTT’s Properties Artisan Manager as an intern for several years. Dauley received the scholarship named in memory of Dr. Julian Olf by Patricia Vandenberg.

• Miracle Deveaux: A sophomore at the University of North Florida, pursuing a major in Music Production, Deveaux is an alumna of the Stage of Discovery program who returned to intern as a counselor in this year’s program. Deveaux has been awarded the scholarship named in memory of Shelley Goldblatt.

• Anthony Jackson: A second-year student at the State College of Florida, studying Performing Arts and Music, Jackson first participated in the Stage of Discovery program at the age of 12 and has now participated for eight years. He sang a solo at this year’s WBTT spring fundraiser, April Fools’ Fête. He was awarded the Marian Moss Scholarship.

• Austin Jacobs: Majoring in Film at Ringling College, Jacobs has produced outstanding video projections for numerous WBTT mainstage shows and events. He was awarded the Steve and Shari Ashman Scholarship.

• Will Mauricette: Will graduated from Ringing College in 2023 and, after completing a gap year, will be pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Film at University of Southern California, hoping to become a film director. He is an alumnus of the inaugural year of Stage of Discovery and has shared his films at WBTT’s Juneteenth Arts Festivals. Mauricette has received the scholarship named by the Goldblatt family.

• Amillia Samuels: Majoring in Contemporary Commercial Music at the University of South Florida, Samuels attended Stage of Discovery for two years and has recently had the opportunity to dance in a peer’s WBTT Young Artist Program showcase; she is joining the cast in the WBTT mainstage production of “Black Nativity” later this year. Samuels was awarded the scholarship named by Charles and Susan Wilson.

• Canela Vasquez: A student at the University of South Florida, Vasquez is majoring in Digital Communications and Multimedia Journalism. She hopes to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in a post-graduate program after completing her Bachelor’s degree this fall. Vasquez attended Stage of Discovery for multiple years and has performed in WBTT’s mainstage season shows as well as the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. She was awarded the scholarship named in memory of Patricia Bode-Brown by Steven Alan Brown.

"Through our youth training programs and professional performance opportunities, we are honored to help young, aspiring artists to hone their skills and receive guidance and support to assist them on their educational and career journeys,” said WBTT Founder/Artistic Director Nate Jacobs. "We are very grateful to the supporters who have made it possible for us to contribute financially to the education of these eight amazing students and look forward to seeing their achievements in the years ahead."

To be eligible for a scholarship, a participant must be majoring or minoring in a performing arts field and have performed on the WBTT stage in at least two productions, worked at the theatre as an intern, performed in community outreach programs and/or been a participant in the Stage of Discovery summer musical theatre intensive program. Funds are disbursed directly to the educational institution the awardee is already attending or will be attending in the fall. 

For more about WBTT, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call 941-366-1505.

About Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
The mission of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) is to produce professional theater 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 confidence in youth of color. Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org for more information.