LaShonda Tankersley’s favorite quote is, Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Ghandi. The change she wants to see in the world is more love and peace. Therefore, she consciously works on Presence and Awareness to exemplify the peace and love she desires to see in the world. Her educational background is: Educational Leadership degree (ED.S); Cambridge University, Master of Business Administration; Brenau University, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Paine College. She started her teaching career in 1998 at Lamar Elementary School teaching 5th grade for five years. She taught fourth and fifth grade, and K-3 Augmented for 10 years at Glenn Hills Elementary. She is presently an Itinerant ESOL teacher in Richmond County. She has done extended studies to enhance her interest in Self-Improvement. She is a Mediation teacher and a Neurolinguistic Practitioner. Mrs. Tankersley feels honored and privileged to have the opportunity to work with the youth.

Mrs. Beth Gore

Beth Gore grew up in Augusta and returned after university. Moving with her ex-husband to various military postings, the family always returned to Augusta. Her four children (now adults) attended school here and the family home carries evidence of their childhood filled with music and art lessons, as well as many dramas and musical theatre performances.

Mrs. Gore has worked for many years in marketing and advertising for nonprofits. In recent years she has turned her skills to grant writing and grant management.

Mr. Tyrone J Butler

Arts and Life Skills School. Butler is a native of Augusta, Georgia, and noticed a void in the art offering for the area youth. Because of this void, he founded Augusta Mini Theatre which became Augusta’s first community art school to focus on multi-art disciplines, under one roof. Since 1975, Mr. Butler has ensured that the artistic needs of the underserved students (grades 1-12) are met. Mr. Butler offered free classes at AMT for the first 5 years and continues to allow students to take classes even if they are unable to pay. Over the years, thousands have benefited from AMTs programs and services.

Mr. Butler has 2 published plays that are being produced by other youth art groups and schools around the U.S. and continues writing plays that target teens and youth dealing with such universal life skill issues as the importance of education, consequences of alcohol and drug use, moving beyond the negative environment, making positive choices, anger management, self-esteem building, etc. Mr. Butler sees the importance of merging the arts and life skills to experience the creative self-expression that is inherent in the arts to become a more complete person. In honor of his mother, Mr. Butler began a college book scholarship providing enrolled Augusta Mini Theatre students with a 4-year college book scholarship.

A few of Mr. Butler’s Honors & Awards: The Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts 1984; Greater Augusta Arts Council Artist Award in 1993; Citizen of the Year Award 2015, “Stuff that Legends are made of” Award 2016. NAACP Humanity Award 2018, Champion for children Award 2018.

Shantelle Wheeler is an accomplished singer and actress that has been with Augusta Mini Theatre since 2011. She has held many positions in both art and administration. In conjunction with her own ambitions, Ms. Wheeler strives to ensure that the mission of Augusta Mini Theatre is carried out, to enhance the lives of the students and community members.

Earnestine Mosley Robinson has been with Augusta Mini Theatre, Inc. since its inception, on October 8, 1975, and is presently the Board Liaison Support Staff at the Theatre.

An Augusta native and a 1968 graduate of Lucy Craft Laney High School. Special Training: Business of School of Augusta Opportunities Industrialization Center; Steps to Getting and Keeping a Job by Arts a-Live; Bookkeep I by Natax Accounting System; and Bookkeep II by Sanford Loyd, CPA, Augusta Georgia. Certificates: Business Management, Augusta College; Management Training, Opportunities Academy; and Speak Up with Confidence, The Airways Chapter of Professional Secretaries International, Augusta, Georgia.
Awards: 2009 Proclamation from the Office of the Mayor – The City of Augusta, 2021 Arts Professional, 2022 Certificate of Appreciation.
Mother of 2 & grandmother of 3.

Jena Ja’whann has been said to possess “a kinetic intelligence well beyond her years”. She began her early professional training at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia, under the tutelage of Bessie Award Winner, Sharon Skepple Mayfield. Before that, she enjoyed the art of praise dancing that she learned from her mother as a small child.

Jena moved to Columbus, Georgia in 2016 to further her training at Columbus State University, where she continued to study Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Jazz under former Radio City Rockette, Karyn Tomczak. Her journey through the dance world led her to various experiences such as her work with the Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama, appearances on television, in articles, and in concert dance performances. Jena began her professional teaching career with the CSU Youth Ballet Conservatory in 2017. Now, home again in Augusta, she joins the Mini Theatre to spread her love of dance with young movers like herself.

Judith Simon-Butler joined the Augusta Mini Theatre Arts and Life Skills School in its infancy in 1975 and has since received statewide recognition as a director, poet, actress, and drama coach. Known for her devotion to blurring lines between the theater and the streets, Mrs. Butler has shared her artistry at
inner-city summer camp programs, churches, community centers, behind prison walls, and on the traditional stage.

Simon-Butler shines not only as a performing artist and poet but also as a local dream maker. During her forty-six years with the Augusta Mini Theatre, this performing powerhouse has guided five young people toward national television and film careers and has inspired hundreds more to improve their lives through creative expression.
She demonstrates her commitment to lifelong learning by participating in workshops to hone her craft and by teaching students at every stage of life, from childhood through retirement.

Ms. Butler, who holds a B.A. in Drama and Speech from Augusta College (now Augusta University), has received The Terri in the category of Best Actress, a Women of Excellence in the Arts award, Greater Augusta Arts Council’s award for Artist of the Year 2000, Sister’s Only Club Shero Award “The Arts”, The Y and Kiss Family Reunion Arts and Entertainment Advocate Award to name a few.

As a leading actress with a deep commitment to reaching young people, Ms. Butler performed “The Johnny Williams Story” a one-woman show, on an extensive tour of Georgia’s youth prisons (YDC).

Judith Simon Butler is the Artistic Director and Drama Instructor at the Theatre.

Mrs. Butler is ever committed to bridging the gap between the real and the imagined.