Augusta, GA

The next stage: Augusta Mini Theatre looks to the future

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2024

The next stage: Augusta Mini Theatre looks to the future

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Mini Theater has been producing, hosting performances and educating youths for almost 50 years.

The theater continues to serve as a space for youth to pursue education in the arts, no matter their financial status.

The drama school has been planning an expansion of a 250-seat theater since 2008.

It’s a concept more than 16 years in the making.

Over the years, it’s had trouble getting the funds necessary to make that a reality.

The Augusta Commission poured SPLOST money into the theater and has given multiple extensions.

The scope of the project ultimately had to be cut down because the theater couldn’t raise enough funds to meet the deadline.

According to the commission’s Dec. 5 meeting, the scope of the project was reduced by 60%. Instead of 250 seats, the new theater will only have 100.

Nevertheless, it is still an accomplishment for the school to move to a more updated space with state-of-the-art equipment to continue to carry on its mission of not only teaching drama and theatrical classes, but life skills for the students to take with them for the rest of their lives.

Tyrone Butler says his vision of what the mini theater is supposed to capture is about to come true.

“I want to create something for people like me, people like me, who got the desire, got the talent,” said Butler.

The expansion will finally give his students a proper theater and space for the community to watch.

Butler says the same mentality of giving people an opportunity 50 years ago is being shown back.

“The community came together, really came together. And our alumni, they were amazing, you know, from all over the country. We have 8000 alums out there. And they gave to the campaign,” said Butler.

Not all alumni go on to continue the arts, but it’s the lessons his staff instilled in Augusta’s youth that matter.

“The band director at Gleaners High School. He took piano lessons right here will several out teachers with students who took art that teaching art in the school system right here. And but they started here. We have students that have gone to Broadway,” said Butler.

The final phase of a project that Butler hopes will continue to inspire the next generation of successful adults.

“We just use the arts to get there,” he said.

Butler says groundbreaking will start in early October and is expected to finish by the organization’s 50th anniversary next year.

Many of the school’s plays focus on social issues and education like drug awareness and education.

As it has been in the past, the Augusta Mini Theater aims to remain a pillar of the community.

The theatre is also preparing to send its students over to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to perform for the International Black Theatre Festival on August 3.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Fire to showcase progress on new Fire Station #3 construction

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Fire to showcase progress on new Fire Station #3 construction

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Fire is showcasing progress on its new Fire Station #3 construction site Monday with a public tour of the facility.

The tour is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon at the construction site at 2075 Powell Road.

The approximately 12,500-square-foot facility will feature three apparatus bays, modern living quarters, administrative space and support areas designed to enhance firefighter readiness and emergency response.

“The progress we’ve made on this fire station reflects our commitment to public safety and community resilience,” said Fire Chief Antonio Burden. “We’re proud of what this station represents for our community: enhanced protection, improved readiness and continued investment in the future.”

Johnson Laschober Associates designed the station. Spratlin Construction is building it in coordination with the Augusta government and the Augusta Fire Department leadership.

Representatives from Spratlin Construction will also be on-site to provide project updates.

The only entrance to the site is on Powell Road. Parking is not permitted on the construction site. Visitors should park along Powell Road and follow all posted safety guidance.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

15 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

1 day ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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