The impact of the Augusta Mini Theatre upon Tonya Rutherford’s life goes beyond the arts instruction she received there.
“As we open the doors of this beautiful, new 142-seat theater, I can’t help but feel the symbolism as was mentioned earlier, which is this building represents exactly what the Augusta Mini Theatre has done for 50 years and that’s open doors –,for kids who are shy, for kids who just need a place to believe in them. for kids who are searching for something. Beyond the stage lights and performances, the Augusta Mini Theatre gave me something very lasting, something very special – family. I built real community here,” said Tonya Rutherford, a Augusta Mini Theatre alumna who took part in the Jan. 16 ribbon cutting ceremony program.
An overflow crowd packed the lobby of the 142-seat Judith Simon Butler Theatre as students, alumni, community leaders and board members spoke about the impact of the theater and its programs.
For Rutherford, who is a corporate entertainment lawyer and legacy creation coach and consultant, the Augusta Mini Theatre gave her the opportunity to not only act in plays, but to develop her voice in speaking to large groups of audiences at a young age, developing her sense of confidence. She continues to use that skill.
The dream of the theater began decades ago.
Tyrone Butler started the program in October 1975 with a single variety show at Wallace Branch Library. Over the years it expanded with the arts school on Deans Bridge Road opening about 20 years ago.
Read more: Augusta Mini Theatre marks 50th anniversary
Construction began on the facility in November 2024. The ribbon cutting was originally scheduled for November 2025 but pushed to January 2026. Special performances were scheduled for this weekend, but they’ve been put on hold. The mini theater announced on Jan. 10 that Tyrone Butler was ill and would be unable to attend.
Earnestine Robinson, who served at the school from its earliest days and recently retired, cut the ribbon in the Butlers’ absence.
Shantelle Wheeler, the mini theatre’s marketing and advertising director, read portions of a letter Tyrone Butler had written on Jan. 21, 2025, in which he shared proposed plans for a weekend of celebration coinciding with the 50th anniversary in October 2025.
He wrote than in 50 years, 8,000 children had gone through the doors of the mini theater and more than 500,000 people had seen performances. Many of the children came from low income homes, but they went on to have careers in professions such as law, medicine and academia.
“Yes, 50 years of positively impacting more than 8,000 students,” Wheeler read. “We’re excited, and we are going to celebrate.”
After the ribbon cutting, people toured the new theater and the school.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
