Augusta, GA
Augusta Mini Theatre celebrates brand-new instructional, performance center
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The city of Augusta is celebrating a milestone moment in the arts community.
After decades of growth from a small downtown space to a brand-new home, the Augusta Mini Theatre is opening the doors to its new instructional and performance center.
October 8th, 1975 is a day that has been cemented in history as Butler took the initial steps in creating what would be known as the Augusta Mini Theatre.
Butler along with his wife and the artistic director of the Augusta Mini Theatre, Judith Simon-Butler, began their voyage of servitude to the arts in becoming the first performing arts school in Augusta to offer all of the disciplines which include acting, singing, dance, and visual arts, under one roof.
The Augusta Mini Theatre moved into its current home on Deans Bridge Road in 2008, using a $1.3 Million grant from the city and $400,000 that the organization raised on its own.
History Of The Augusta Mini Theatre
On Friday, January 16th, the Augusta Mini Theatre held a ribbon cutting ceremony, and patrons had the opportunity to walk through the brand new instructional and performing arts center, which includes the Judith Simon Butler Theatre.
For the current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and attendees in general, this is truly a monumental moment.
“I’m feeling butterflies, and I’m overwhelmed with joy because when I started in the theater, I was in the second grade, and we were downtown in this little bit of space and the floor creaked, and it was so tiny. And now we just have this huge space to spread out, and it’s just so special to us,” says Brittany Dent, the Augusta Mini Theatre Alumni Chairperson. “The importance of this building is just so monumental because we have literally started from the bottom, and Mr. and Mrs. Butler have built their way out. The dream of just having a community center for the arts in Augusta… It’s so monumental to be able to have a 140-foot theater where we can do our own plays and shows and anything. It’s just a very special thing. After the celebration, we’re going forward. We pray for another 50 years of celebrations. We hope that there are so many kids that are able to pass through these doors, are able to earn the scholarship, and are able to just get all the programs that they have to offer.”
The Augusta Mini Theatre is located on Deans Bridge Road, and for more information, you can visit their website, https://augustaminitheatre.org/.
Photojournalist: Avery Van Dusen
Augusta, GA
Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Tennessee38 seconds agoThings to do in the Chattanooga area this week include Chickapalooza, Amy Grant, Summerween | Chattanooga Times Free Press
-
Texas6 minutes agoSee how Texas medical schools rank among the world’s best for 2026
-
Utah13 minutes agoUtah marks a year of battling measles, with no clear end in sight
-
Vermont13 minutes ago‘The Great Bennington Battle and Vermont’: Pawlet and Rupert Historical Societies to host historian Howard Coffin
-
Virginia21 minutes ago15 things to know about the budget deal Virginia lawmakers just reached
-
Washington28 minutes agoSuspect arrested in deadly shooting of 15-year-old girl in Washington County
-
Wisconsin31 minutes agoMissing endangered 24-year-old in Wisconsin, search ongoing
-
West Virginia36 minutes agoNotebook: MCWS as good as advertised; West Virginia no overnight success story – WV MetroNews