Augusta, GA

Augusta Mini Theatre celebrates brand-new instructional, performance center

Published

4 months ago

January 17, 2026

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 8^th, 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

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Augusta, GA

Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident

Published

8 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident | News | wfxg.com

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Augusta, GA

Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta

Published

20 hours ago

May 9, 2026

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Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.

Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.

Campaign priorities

Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.

“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”

Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Prep student arrested over picture of LEGO gun, threat he called a joke

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

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Augusta Prep student arrested over picture of LEGO gun, threat he called a joke

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta Prep student was arrested on a charge of terroristic threats over a picture of a LEGO gun he posted on social media.

It happened Wednesday, according to an incident report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Eric Hedinger, the principal of Augusta Preparatory Day School, told deputies a student had uploaded a picture to Snapchat of a “pistol” with the caption “shooting up the school so I don`t have to take the stats exam tomorrow. Don`t come yall!”

The principal said he spoke to the student and his father about the photo.

The principal also provided deputies with the student’s address in Grovetown.

A deputy went there and was told by the student that the “pistol” was a LEGO set that he had built.

He also said the comment he made was supposed to be a joke because he was not looking forward to taking his Advanced Placement statistics test this week.

The student showed the deputy the box that the LEGO set came in, and how the set was already disassembled.

The deputy also looked in the boy’s room to make sure he was not in possession of any weapons.

The mother advised that there was one firearm in the residence but it was locked up.