Foundation

Mission Statement

The Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation was formed to protect and restore the Fox Theatre, a historically significant architectural icon on the National Register of Historic Places, and to provide culturally significant entertainment for the greater Orange County area while supporting arts initiatives in the community.

Vision Statement

A fully restored Fox Theatre will act as an economic driver for the City of Fullerton creating a destination for culturally significant entertainment throughout the region. The Foundation will act as stewards of this important architectural icon ensuring its use and relevance for current and future generations.

While providing a wide variety of entertainment options, the space will also act as an incubator for artistic expression by supporting local arts initiatives. Along with other not-for-profit leaders in the region, The Fox Theatre will partner and support these groups with a creative space for expression open to people of all walks of life.

President

Brian Newell

Brian is a founder and owner of the Maverick Theater in downtown Fullerton. Brian was asked by a fellow board member, Todd Huffman to join the Board of Directors in 2009. That same year he was tasked to create a show for the annual Hollywood in Fullerton fundraising event. The show was a tribute to the famous films of the seventies, and it was the first theatrical production on the Fox stage in fifty-five years.  
 
Brian continued to create other fundraising events for the foundation. In 2012 with “The Blues Brother’s Save Fox” and in 2015 with “Speakeasy Days”. A two-day event he organized to celebrate the theatre’s 90th & 100th anniversary. 
  
One of Brian’s favorite memories was in June of 2018 when the Fox presented the film JAWS. It was the first indoor movie shown since the theater’s closing in 1987. Brian was able to get JAWS’ Production Designer, Joe Alves, to appear and speak about the making of the film and creating the infamous mechanical shark. 
  
Brian lives in Fullerton with his wife Heidi and their son Jackson. 

Vice President

Bob Winkelmann

A Fullerton native, Bob and his family are long- time “Save The Fox” supporters. Bob is a real estate developer and landlord with a special emphasis on historical restoration.

Bob joined the Board of Directors in 2016, determined to help return the Fox as a treasured cultural asset back to the community, while preserving its architectural and historic integrity. Bob and his crew recently restored the Fox’s Tea Room windows along Harbor Boulevard, as well as installing historic photos on the ground floor of the property for the public’s viewing.

Vice President

Dan Beaumont

Dan has many years of experience in Technical Direction, Design, and Production for live theatre, immersive experiences, and attractions for the Walt Disney Company with a great many installations in California, Florida, and in Tokyo Japan.

After spending time researching the history of early aviation in Glendale, California, he was selected to be part of the design and implementation team for the guest experience portion of the restoration of the historic aviation building: The Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale, California. It was fully restored in 2015 after being originally being built in 1929. In 2017, it was added to the National Registry of Historic Places (#100000780).

Dan joined the Board of Directors in 2020 and is thrilled to contribute his experience and efforts towards the restoration of the Fox Fullerton Theatre. With his wife Audrey, they enjoy traveling the world, attending live theatre, camping, sailing, cycling (especially the Fullerton Loop), and so much more. Along with his stepdaughter Kristin, they have resided in Fullerton since 2008.

Secretary

Pat Shepard

Pat’s family settled in Fullerton in 1926, a year after the Fox (Chapman’s) Theatre opened. Pat was born and raised in Fullerton. After finishing school, serving in the military, and retiring from IBM as a Staff Engineer, he returned to Fullerton in 2003.

When he found that the Fox was facing the wrecking ball, he eagerly joined the effort to save it. Since then, he has been involved at every level of service to the Fox: doing errands, cleaning at work parties, providing information at booths at the downtown market and other locations, helping at every fundraiser event, coordinating volunteers. The list goes on and on…

Pat joined the Board of Directors in 2010, has served as Treasurer, and is currently serving as Secretary.

Treasurer

Chris Jones

Chris joined the Foundation Board in 2024

Chris has been a resident of Fullerton for most of his life. He started school at Hermosa Elementary. He then attended Ladera Vista Jr High and, after graduation, completing the Troy Tech program at Troy High School. He completed his Junior-Senior years and graduated from Fullerton Union High School. During his early years, he was active in Boy Scouts – Troop 93, Fullerton Children’s Repertory Theater, Science Olympiad at Ladera Vista and Troy, and FFA at FUHS. He was involved in many shows on stage and off. After High School, Chris worked at the Fullerton Auditorium (Plummer), Sophia B. Clarke Theater, and Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Theater, where he performed many duties from audio engineering and rigging to stage managing. After getting his college degree out of state, Chris moved back to Fullerton, where he purchased the house his grandparents built in 1950. Chris still volunteers at local theaters where you can see him on stage and behind the scenes. He is currently the CEO/Owner of Jones Environmental, Inc., testing soil/air/water for contamination. Chris is excited to be on the Board of the Fullerton Theater Foundation and looks forward to all the exciting changes to come.

Director

Todd Huffman

Todd moved to Fullerton in June of 2003. Walking to Starbucks every morning, he passed the Fox Theatre. He became increasingly interested and when he eventually asked his friends about the Fox, and they all said, “you should help save it!”.

By that December, he had joined the Board and began digging in with the rest of the volunteers and community to save the beloved gem. He developed new business plans and presented them to the City of Fullerton and other influential members of the community. His aim was to show them it was a “treasure trove” for the community.

His efforts lead to a “Challenge Grant” of $1.65 million from the city to match another $1.65 million that the community would have to raise to purchase and save the Fox. In the fall of 2004, with mere hours to save the Fox from a developer’s wrecking ball, the Foundation was still short at almost $700,000. Todd was in the Fox office with then President and Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation founder, Jane Reifer, when an anonymous donor walked in, (think “Clarence” from the film “It’s a Wonderful Life”) and offered his $1 million gift. Within two hours, the Fox had a cashier’s check for $700,000 and a promise of $100,000 a month for three months. No paperwork was exchanged, and we never saw the wonderful human being again.

Todd is the longest-serving Director with the Foundation and has also served as its president for several years. He has produced events for the Fox, such as “Hollywood in Fullerton”, “Movies on the Fox”, “Day of Music” and many others. He has been integral at every level of the restoration effort, from selecting architects, to securing its first state grant of $1.92 million from the California Cultural Historical Endowment, and everything in between. He also worked closely with the city on developing the Phase 1 construction plan of $8 million, including all the seismic retrofitting, getting the retail spaces ready for leasing and some historic restoration work.

He is a marketing executive and video producer/director as a partner of Pipeline Digital Media. Todd lives in Fullerton, likes to read, and ride his adventure motorcycle.

Director

Sky Eastin

Although I live in Brea, my business, Ejay’s Machine Co., Inc. is in Fullerton. Our company is a machine shop, fabricating parts for the aerospace industry.

I joined the Fox Theatre Board in 2011 because I have a passion for history, especially old theatres. Whenever my wife and I go on a distance travel, we will seek out and tour old theatres.

I am a “fixit” type of guy, always ready to jump in. I enjoy working on special projects for the Fox such as refurbishing the Fox letters on top of the theatre, fixing the stairs, and installing security bars.

I have three kids and four grandkids. One of my daughters is a physical therapist at PIH and the other is a Spanish teacher in Villa Park. My son is a professor at Point Loma Nazarene and UCSD.

In my younger days I did a lot of major climbing and mountaineering. Today, I am trying to knock out 2660 miles of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). To date, I have hiked about 197 miles.

Director

Scott Riordan

Scott was born, raised, and went to school in Fullerton, attending Beachwood, Ladera Vista, Fullerton High School and Cal State Fullerton. One of his favorite childhood memories is being dropped off with a friend to see a rerelease of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Fox Fullerton.

He began his career in theatre at Fullerton’s Plummer Auditorium as a sound engineer and lighting technician while also performing in a local band.

He later spent 10 years as manager of the City of Brea’s Curtis Theatre overseeing programming, operations, marketing and special events.

In 1996 Scott transitioned to Brea’s Redevelopment Agency, where he spent 10 years supporting the revitalization of the city’s downtown as Economic Development Manager. He also served as President of the Brea Downtown Owners Association. 

In 2006, he became Director of Real Estate and Development for Manley Fanticola Holdings, directing acquisition, development, leasing and asset management for approximately $100 million in mixed use properties, primarily in Brea Downtown. 

In 2009, Scott joined the City of Buena Park as Economic Development Manager, negotiating new multi-acre development projects with housing, commercial, restaurant and automotive dealer developers. 

In 2016 Scott became Business Development Manager for Jamboree Housing Corporation, one California’s leading affordable housing developers, where he pursued new development opportunities. 

Throughout his career in real estate development, Scott worked closely on numerous complex public/private transactions. Project highlights include the Brea Birch Street Promenade, Brea Improv, TAPS Fish House, South Brea Lofts, Yard House, auto center dealerships, Park Landing, Beach Boulevard Entertainment Corridor, Rock & Brews, Clark Commons, Ascent and Villa Esperanza

He and his wife Melissa have two adult sons.

Scott holds a BA and MPA from Cal State Fullerton.

The Future of the Fox

“Entertainment is the greatest socializing force in the world”

Since the days of ancient Greece, people have gathered in theaters for storytelling, music and dance. While the styles have changed countless times over the millennia, people will always gather to enjoy a communal experience.

The Fox Fullerton Theatre will endeavor to be as flexible as possible in its ability to host a variety of entertainment options. What can happen when the doors reopen?….

Concerts

Entertainer Showcases

Comedians

Cinema Events

Musicals & Plays

Cultural Events

Free Community Events

Private Events