By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Arts Council cut the ribbon for its new performance theater March 12.

The theater is located adjacent to the SCAC at 102 Mildred Street in downtown Columbiana.

“We’re excited to bring performing arts into the community,” Founder and Director of Development Terri Sullivan said.

The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony March 12.

The theater will hold its first performance, “Songs of Patsy Cline,” Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey will introduce Emily Kay Herring, assistant professor in musical theater voice at the University of Alabama, before she performs, said Sullivan.

“The theater will also allow us to give our music programs more space, as they can practice in there,” Sullivan said. “We won’t have to double-purpose the art studio space anymore.”

For more information about the SCAC, visit Shelbyartscouncil.com.