Though theater manager Sharon Jackson hoped to host a test run Friday that would be open to the public, she said the grand opening will remain set for Friday, Jan. 13.

Most of the equipment has been installed and everything is in place, Jackson said, but there are still loose ends to tie up before the theater is ready to open to the public.

“Things are going well, but it has been the collective decision that we are going to focus all of our attention on the original grand opening Jan. 13,” she said. “We will test the equipment through the weekend, but the official grand opening will still be Jan. 13.”

During the grand opening, the city’s plan to convert the Larry D. Striplin Performing Arts Center into a theater will officially come to fruition.

Through meetings with the Selma City Council and Mayor George Evans, Jackson said a plan was launched to convert the Performing Arts Center into a place where weekend shows could be featured to save Dallas County residents from driving to Prattville, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and other areas to see new releases.

Jackson said she is not sure which movies will be shown at the grand opening because the lineup can change daily.

The addition of new equipment will be beneficial to people in Selma who want to see movies without driving 30-plus miles, and will also provide much-needed upgrades for the Performing Arts Center.

Movies will be shown Thursday nights at 7 p.m., Fridays at 4 and 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. The 1 p.m. feature will always be a family-themed movie, Jackson said.

During the theater’s early stages, Jackson said she will monitor the need for a Sunday matinee, which could be added later.

“If the demand is there for a Sunday afternoon show at 4 p.m., we are prepared to offer that as well,” she said.

The theater will have full concessions and provide security through the Selma Police Department as needed.