Hollywood and Selma could come together as early as Friday if everything goes according to plan.

The city’s plans to convert the Larry D. Striplin Jr. Performing Arts Center into a theater have been on par, manager Sharon Jackson said. In fact, with equipment to be installed Tuesday, the theater is actually ahead of schedule.

“We finished earlier talking to our film broker and our grand opening is Jan. 13,” Sharon, who will manage the theater with her husband David, said. “But it looks like we will be showing a family movie before then as a soft grand opening because all of our equipment install will be done by Tuesday. We are going to have a soft opening and we expect to show a family movie. The following week we are expecting another film.”

Sharon said she isn’t sure which movies will play because the films available are constantly changing.

The idea for the theater sprang from a lifetime of interest in movies and long drives to see the latest features, Sharon said.

“Being form Southern California, movies are a regular part of life for us and we were a little surprised there wasn’t an operating theater,” she said. “We’ve driven to Prattville and we’ve driven to Montgomery and we felt like Selma could have its own theater.”

After meeting with Selma Mayor George Evans, Sharon said the idea to bring movies to Selma took off.

“Working with the Mayor’s office and Kay Jones at the Striplin Theater, we started doing the research,” she said. “We went out and visited some of the smaller theaters in Demopolis, Thomasville, and Marion to understand what they have done and what would work. We came back and looked at the Striplin and thought it was a good option.”

Throughout the process, Jackson said the city government has been extremely supportive.

“The mayor and city council have been so supportive,” she said. “They were behind the project, they have helped make this work. The city took on the responsibility of buying the equipment and upgrading it at the theater. That was the best way to go because now Selma will have its own theater.”

In addition to bringing movies to Selma, Sharon said the Performing Arts Center will benefit as well. The theater will gain a brand new screen and a new surround sound system.

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

If the demand is high enough, a Sunday movie could be added to the mix.

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

Jackson said the theater will have a full concessions stand and plenty of security.