One person might have a vision, but it often takes a community of people to bring it into existence.
Tyrone Butler had a dream in 1975 of presenting a Johnny Carson-like show highlighting the talents of area young people, but it took many people to bring to fulfillment his dream of the Augusta Mini Theatre Deans Bridge Road campus with its school, black box theatre and its 142-seat Judith Simon Butler Theatre.
“Mr. Butler and I were working together at the Augusta OIC – Opportunities Industrialization Center. I was a typist assigned to him. He started talking about the things he wanted to do as far as the students – children who had talent,” said Earnestine Mosley Robinson, who has been with the Augusta Mini Theatre since the beginning, retiring in August only a few weeks before the organization’s 51st anniversary Oct. 8.
The Augusta Mini Theatre will honor Robinson at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at its 13th Annual Sunshine’s Roast and Toast. For ticket information, go here.
She started out as a volunteer with the organization while still working at the OIC , but it wasn’t long before Robinson found herself working for the Augusta Mini Theatre. It was an act of faith, and she felt the Lord leading her to follow Butler in his efforts to develop the program working with children and teens.
Not only has she held administrative roles over the years, but she’s also had a hand in helping with the stage productions. She’s worked with costumes, helped with the sound and assisted behind the scenes. She’s even had a few parts in plays over the year
“I was in two productions. The first I played a scientist, and I played an old lady. I played several parts. I really enjoyed that,” she said.
For many years, Judith Simon Butler, the organization’s artistic director, toured youth development center with a one-women show called “The Johnny Williams Show”, and Robinson was there to support.
“I had many joyful moments. We toured schools and other organizations; those were some of the most fun areas for me over the years,” she said.
She said she’s always loved children and seeing the students grow and mature and later come back to share their successes has been a highlight for her.
She’s also watched as the Augusta Mini Theatre grew from that first show at the Wallace Branch Library in October 1975 to the opening of the school and most recently the theatre. Robinson cut the ribbon at the dedication in January because Tyrone Butler was too ill to attend the event.
And even though she’s officially retired, Robinson said she won’t be far from the place she’s been part of for 51 years.
“I still want to volunteer at anything they have, fundraisers and performances. Until the Lord takes me home, I’ll still be volunteering,” she said.
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
