Pictured: Nate Jacobs (left) and Danielle Mone Truitt during the artist master class. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, Semkhor Productions and FOUNDERS+ held their first in a planned series of artist master classes, titled “Conversations with Nate Jacobs.” Featured artist for the first program was Danielle Moné Truitt, who is currently starring in the NBC series “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” Truitt is equally comfortable on stage and screen: she starred in the U.S. West Coast premiere of “The Mountaintop” and a television presentation of the musical “Dreamgirls” as well as held TV roles in BET series “Rebel” and Fox series “Deputy.” She has received nominations for Ovation and NAACP Theatre Awards.

Prior to the master class, Truitt toured WBTT and watched some of a rehearsal of WBTT’s upcoming production, “Broadway in Black.” During the 1.5-hour class, Truitt talked about her career, tips for building a successful career, the importance of Black theatres as incubators for industry talent, and suggestions for staying grounded and determined through the extreme ups and downs of artistic careers. Truitt emphasized the importance of having faith in one’s purpose and approaching one’s work with love. Upon a request from the audience, Truitt – whose early years included leading praise worship – wrapped up the session with an a cappella gospel hymn. She then spent 45 minutes taking questions from the WBTT actors and attending high school and college students. The next offering will feature Golden Globe winner and Emmy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards nominee Ving Rhames (“Pulp Fiction,” “Con Air,” “Dawn of the Dead,” HBO’s “Don King: Only in America” and a recurring role in the “Mission: Impossible” film series) on March 29.

Pictured: Nate Jacobs (left) and Danielle Mone Truitt during the artist master class. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.