Shane Peterman comes to Augusta at a pivotal moment in the histories of two storied arts entities.
Stepping into the newly formed role of CEO of the Augusta Players and the Imperial Theatre, he’s not only tasked with the day-to-day operations of those groups, but he’s overseeing their merger as well as their two capital campaigns.
“Things have to shift and sometimes break open before the new things start to come about, so to with the arts, so to with the Augusta Players and Imperial Theatre. Change is hard, but I’m trying to do it as diligently and tactfully as possible while still keeping to the near 200-year history of these organizations,” said Peterman, who started the position on June 15.
Peterman said the merger will result in a relationship similar to that of the Augusta Symphony and the Miller Theater, and he hopes the legalities of the merger will be completed by March 2027 and plans to have a gala to celebrate.
The Augusta Players and Imperial Theatre have a longstanding history.
The Players have used the historic venue to stage productions for decades. In 2023, under Scott Seidl, who died in November 2025, the Players ended their nomadic existence of moving from rehearsal space to rehearsal space to a permanent home at 712 Ellis Street. Its administrative offices and rehearsal and storage spaces were finally under one roof.
In May 2024, the organization closed on that property and launched a $2.3 million capital campaign to pay for the building and renovations.
The Players launch their 82nd season, in tribute to Seidl, in September with “Beautiful: The Carole King Story.”
The Imperial Theatre, which opened in February 1918 as the Wells Theatre, has undergone multiple renovation projects over the past several years, and in 2024, under executive director Charles Scavullo, launched a $10 million campaign for a multi-phase project with major renovations scheduled.
Scavullo retired in the spring.
Peterman, who has nearly 30 years of experience in commercial and nonprofit performing arts, including executive leadership, producing, arts education, organizational growth, revenue development and community engagement, is no stranger to so much activity.
The former producing artistic director of WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas, isn’t fazed by multimillion dollar capital campaigns, acquisitions or mergers.
“In a nonprofit, I’ve never not known being in some kind of capital campaign,” he said.
Peterman is working to use some of his contacts to book more performances at the Imperial in the coming months. Ventriloquist Darci Lynn is scheduled for Aug. 7, and Ronnie McDowell is slated for Aug. 14 with more performances on the way.
A front section of the Imperial has seen some new paint and been spiffied up for the creation of the After Hours piano bar with drinks and live music on Fridays. The event started on July 17 and Peterman expects to have them on a regular basis, but not weekly.
The Players will have their performances in the theater as will Colton Ballet Company which is set to be the resident ballet company for the space. He’s also in talks with another performance company about forging long-term relationships.
In January 2027, no performances will be scheduled for some of the needed repairs.
While Peterman sees the potential for the theater district on Broad, he doesn’t plan to rush things and doesn’t plan to make a ton of changes in his first year.
“One of the more successful driving aspects of this is going to be me being able to stay in a discovery mode for a bit probably my first year of really getting to know people and listening and learning and understanding everything in the community not just the affluent who come through these doors but everyone in the community.”
Community isn‘t just a word Peterman throws around; it’s something he’s sensed from the first time he visited the area.
“This is a real community. I feel the community support, and It’s a dream come true to be here and to be as embraced as we are,” he said. “The wind is in our sails. There’s so much going on for us not only as an artistic community but as a community at large. The city is poised to take the next step with the arts as a cornerstone.”
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, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named best local writer by readers of Augusta Magazine in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
