Michael and Olivia Viator have spent their lives telling stories through ballet.
Now through their Renovate Ballet Company, they share the gospel full time through ballet.
Renovate has four performances of its production of “Make Room” scheduled at the newly opened Flowing Wells Theatre beginning March 8.
“Do you have room in your heart for the Lord?” is the question at the center of “Make Room,” according to Olivia Viator.
With its dramatic musical score, “Make Room” shares the story of a young man (danced by Michael Viator), who encounters the struggles and temptations of life and must answer that question.
“Make Room,” one of the signature pieces in the company’s repertoire, was inspired by the name of the ballet company itself.
“The heart of Renovate Ballet Company is for every artist, staff member and individual we come in contact with to have an open heart to the saving work of Jesus Christ that He may renovate every part of their being by the power of the Holy Spirit,” according to the Renovate website.
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The story of the man’s journey runs parallel with a Biblical account of Mary incorporated into the performance. While the piece is performed year-round, it’s modified at Christmas to add more of the nativity story, Michael Viator said.
Michael Viator grew up in Augusta, dancing with and choreographing for Augusta Ballet (formerly known as the Columbia County Ballet) for many years. After high school, he traveled to Mississippi to perform with Ballet Magnificat, where he met his wife.
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The couple married four years ago in Iowa where they were working for a pre-professional ballet company. They moved to the Augusta area in the summer of 2021.
Inspired by their experience at Ballet Magnificat, the Viators created their own Christian ballet company, now in its third season. Dancers have come from all over the country – some from as far as Alaska – to be part of a group that allows them to both dance professionally and share their faith.
Last year, the group traveled to Guatemala and plans to travel to the Czech Republic in August, where they will partner with another Ballet Magnificat alum for an outreach program there.
They are already preparing for next season, according to Olivia Viator, who said most performance dates are made a year in advance. The company will be auditioning new dancers soon, and the Viators plan to expand their offerings by adding a trainee program.
“Make Room” will be performed at 7 p.m. March 8 and 15 and at 2 p.m. March 9 and 16. Tickets are $8-$14 and are available here.
Flowing Wells Theatre is the home Enopion Theatre Co. and opened in late 2023.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
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