AUGUSTA, GA - Three years ago, some people wondered if the Augusta Ballet could continue. It was about $200,000 in debt. It had to release its 12 full-time dancers as it tried a new approach.

This week, the ballet is celebrating because its new business model is working. The debts are paid off and it’s bringing in big shows that play to large audiences.

“It feels very good,” said Managing Director Patti Ann Smith. “It was a major adjustment in the first year.”

Over the past few years, the Augusta Ballet has created exciting shows by working with major talents such as Wycliffe Gordon. They brought in Slow Dancing, the outdoor video hit of the Westobou Festival last year, as well as the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.

Yet the ballet has also continued its mission of education. Outside dancers who come to Augusta to perform have worked with students at Davidson Fine Arts High School. The ballet has organized classes and invited students from all the dance schools in the area. Many of the performances have combined the work of top professionals with locally recruited amateur talent.

Smith says that puts the ballet in position to create stronger shows in coming years. It may even be able to help one of the other struggling nonprofit arts groups, the Augusta Opera Association. She says they’re working on a hybrid rock opera with dance for next season.

Dance not only remains very alive on Augusta’s stage, Smith says, it’s thriving.