Uncompromising, unconventional and successful, Le Chat Noir, the shoebox theater that opened last year on the corner of Ellis and Eighth streets, is starting its second season reassured that now that the audiences will come.

Before the season started this month with a production of Torch Song Trilogy: Fugue in a Nursery, Le Chat Noir founders Richard Justice, Krys Bailey and Douglas Joiner not only had sold 130 season ticket packages but also had bought the theater building. The theater has a reputation for staging challenging pieces such as the violent Killer Joe last season and Edward Albee's love story The Goat, scheduled for later this season. Le Chat Noir's approach to theater is based on the belief that there is always a place for small-but-serious productions.

"I am surprised, pleasantly surprised, but I wouldn't say our success is completely unexpected," said Mr. Joiner, who also teaches at Augusta State University. "I've always felt like there was a need for this kind of theater and that there must be a niche for this kind of theater."

Although Le Chat averaged 86 percent occupancy last season (a figure almost unheard-of for theater in Augusta), Mr. Justice, who previously served as the Augusta Players artistic director, said producing shows in the space still meant finding ways to cut corners and do more with less. His ethos has been that if you can't pay for something, the only available avenue is to figure a way to do without.

"That creativity, which we have been able to nourish here, is important," he said. "I know it addresses something that was lacking in me. I mean, I had been part of this well-oiled machine for many years. But as far as the creativity required to think outside the box and do shows on a very limited budget, well, this is something very new."

Mr. Bailey, who handles much of the tech at Le Chat, said an interesting phenomenon seems to have developed around the tiny theater. People are coming to shows not only because they are interested in the production but also because they trust Le Chat Noir to present quality productions, he said; Le Chat Noir has become as big a branding device as the plays presented.

"Our audience is the best," Mr. Bailey said. "They have been willing to take a chance on us. They have been willing to see our shows, shows that weren't necessarily popular. We would like to think that we are building that audience because we are Le Chat Noir."

Although flushed with unexpected success, the founders are always aware that an audience can be fickle and that the high tide can easily turn. Mr. Justice said that the downside of success has been wondering whether they can keep up the momentum.

"I've had those moments of fear," he said with a laugh. "I've wondered if we can maintain this. But I think we can. I think we can, because of the people that have embraced this. Being able to have this company, all these people that want to be involved, ensures that quality will always be there."

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.