Augusta, GA
Augusta Junior Players performing ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s a musical that many of us can relate to, the journey of finding yourself and the struggles that come with mental health.
The Augusta Junior Players last performance of the season is “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.”
We sat down with the director and some of the cast members before they take the stage.
It’s rehearsal time at the Augusta Players new home.
The Augusta Junior Players are gearing up for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.
“So if you don’t know the story, the series, or the movie, there’s something for everyone. I think our parents will identify with it as well as our younger audience members,” said Roy Lewis, director.
Lewis says it’s a new twist on Greek mythology, with Percy Jackson on a mission.
“Percy, who struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, and he struggles to find his identity, and so the story is beautiful in that respect,” said Lewis.
The cast is full of different personalities.
Ella Jane Anderson is the antagonist, Clarise.
“She’s just very big and angsty, and always looking for a fight,” said Anderson.
This is a role that Anderson says is outside her comfort zone, but she’s taking it head-on.
“I’ve never had to work with a weapon before. And now all of a sudden, I’m practicing with a sword. It’s crazy, I’ve never had to do combat before. All of a sudden, it’s like, fight with someone, fight with a spear. I’m like…okay,” said Anderson.

There’s also some comic relief.
That’s where Braylen Fergerson comes in, playing the role of Grover.
“Overall, he’s just a very fun character, and it’s actually one of my dream roles, so it’s been exciting playing him,” said Ferguson.
When the cast bows and the curtain closes, the Augusta Junior Players hope you leave feeling empowered.
“It’s okay to be different, it’s okay to struggle with some things because eventually you’re going to find out on your quest where you belong and who you belong to,” said Lewis.

The performance is June 13 at 7 p.m., and June 14 with showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
You can get your tickets by going to https://augustaplayers.org/buy-tickets/.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating Nia Hudson.
Posted:
Updated:
Augusta, Ga (WJBF)– The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating Nia Hudson.
According to RCSO, Hudson was last seen on the 3500 Block of Peach Orchard Road at 5:00pm this evening wearing a red shirt and black shorts.
Hudson suffers from Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.
Anyone that comes in contact with Nia Hudson or has any information as to their whereabouts is asked to contact any on call investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1085 or 706-821-1020.
Nia Hudson: 27 years old, 216 pounds, 5’06”
Augusta, GA
Augusta man missing off Georgia coast as search continues
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Coast Guard and McIntosh County Fire Department continued searching Friday for an Augusta man who went missing off the Georgia coast, as a body was found Thursday.
Roman Waldera’s daughter spoke about the last conversation she had with her father before he disappeared while fishing.
“I actually spoke to my dad in the morning he went missing. We talked back and forth a little bit and then he told me, well, I’m on the boat. I’ve got to get going. We’re going to start fishing. And I was like, all right, we’ll be careful. I love you,” she said.
The Coast Guard called her after Waldera went missing.
“After we got the call, my first goal was to get down there and start searching the island of Blackbeard,” she said.
Community joins search efforts
Shellman’s Fish Camp and other local boat owners joined the search in Sapelo Sound.
“I mean, everybody in the area who had a boat, they were on the sound, and it ended up, I was coordinating with the Coast Guard this whole time,” Waldera’s daughter said.
She said her father’s teachings motivated her to take action.
“So my dad raised me and my grandparents to get it done. Don’t wait around. Don’t sit around. Don’t wait for someone else to do the work. If someone’s going to make it happen, it’s going to be you. And I just, I thought, what would my dad want? He’d want me down there and he would want me looking,” she said.
She described what she would do if reunited with her father.
“I think I just hugged him. I think he just hugged me because I think he knows that I was down there. I was all alone doing that, looking for him all day long. I slept in his room. I think he knows. I think he knows everything, and I don’t think there need to be any words. I think we just love each other,” she said.
The Coast Guard asks anyone with information about the disappearance to call 843-453-1261. Officials said crews not part of the official search can create unsafe conditions and hinder response efforts.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Former WWE stars involved in ‘Wrestling for a Cause’ event in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The community wrestled for a cause at the Georgia-Carolina fairgrounds Saturday night.
Famous wrestlers from the WWE came to the CSRA for the show.
Silent Fights raised money for a local family that lost their home to a fire, as well as former WWE star Toni Rose, who is battling cancer.
Former WWE stars like Johnny Swinger and Heath Slater made appearances.
We spoke with these headliners and CSRA Championship Wrestling about the event.
This is definitely the biggest card of the year. WWE star here, Heat Slater, myself, TNA, WWE, all the major organizations. And we got some good young up and coming talent here that’s going to go out there and tear it up and do the best that we can,” said Swinger.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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