Barton Bund, founder of Blackbird Theatre, prepares to cut the ribbon in celebration of the theater's move to the SH/aut/ Cabaret and Gallery.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

When Blackbird Theatre founder Barton Bund and his young daughter struggled to cut through the fabric ribbon draped around the entryway of the SH/aut/ Cabaret and Gallery space on Tuesday evening — where about 75 people had gathered for the occasion — Bund did what the nimble company has done throughout the span of its 12-year life: he improvised, pulling the ribbon down from its end.

"There are some great things that are within our grasp," Bund said, after the crowd reassembled inside the performance space. "While we’ve been looking around for a new spot, it’s been quite a journey, and it’s been a year long, it’s been agonizing and it’s been awful. But Keith (Orr) and Martin (Contreras), who own the Aut Bar and who own this place, have really, really taken care of us in the past, and they’ve set us up with a great situation."

About 75 people gathered at SH/aut/ Cabaret and Gallery for the Blackbird Theatre's ribbon cutting festivities.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The gathering had the feel of a family reunion, with attendees trading barbs about one person's age and another's tardiness. But this seemed part and parcel of the company Bund envisioned and described, which had previously made its home at the Children's Creative Center (1600 Pauline Ave).

"I just want to talk about what the Blackbird Theatre really is, and what it is is, it’s a dream, and it’s a company," said Bund. "We have a company of actors who work with us, and we bring in new people all the time, and we create work that is passionate and that is full of love and creativity and innovation. And if it doesn’t have those things in it, then we don’t want to do it. There’s really no reason for it. And I think in a venue like this, I think almost anything is possible."

The new location is in Braun Court, across Fourth Avenue from the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

Bund also took the occasion to announce the Blackbird's lineup for its first season at SH\aut\:

"Women in Love," from the novel by D.H. Lawrence Directed by Barton Bund September 16 - October 16

"Topdog/Underdog" by Suzan-Lori Parks Directed by Lynch Travis October 28 - November 20

The Raw Weekend II, December 2-4, consisting of a TBA show on Thursday December 2; a fully staged reading of Shakespeare's "Timon of Athens" on December 3; and "Celebrity Autobiography" — wherein local actors read true Hollywood stories, word for word — on December 4.

"If Only in My Dreams," featuring Christmas stories by Truman Capote, Dylan Thomas and more. With William Myers and Barton Bund. December 9 - 19

"The Sleeping Giant," by Barton Bund Directed by Dana Sutton January 13 - February 6

TBA Directed by Sarah Lucas February 17 - March 20

"Seascape" by Edward Albee Directed by Lynch Travis April 21 - May 21

"The Tempest" by William Shakespeare Directed by Brian Carbine June 2 - 25

"Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare Directed by Barton Bund July 7 - 31

The Blackbird Theatre Academy Presents "Pericles, Prince of Tyre" August 4 - 13

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.