Community rallies behind 80-year-old nonprofit theater with benefit performances and vision for long-term renovation
Redlands Police seized multiple devices containing CSAM during a search of the suspect’s home; investigation part of broader task force crackdown
Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival and the Redlands Theatre Festival kick off Friday, June 20
Community rallies behind 80-year-old nonprofit theater with benefit performances and vision for long-term renovation
For one of Redlands’ oldest theater companies, the future looks bright—if the 80-year-old nonprofit can secure the funding to match its vision.
Redlands Footlighters Theatre, a community nonprofit, is embarking on an ambitious fundraising campaign to update its aging facilities and create a welcoming, inclusive space for future generations.
About a year ago, volunteers with the theater, Rebecca Haynes and Claudia Guillame, decided to find out how to help raise funds for the theater. One major concern was the outdated upstairs bathrooms, where long lines formed outside the women’s restroom during the last season. An initial estimate put the cost of renovations at $200,000.
That figure sparked Haynes and Guillame to seek help. Through community connections, they approached PBLA Engineering Inc., a Redlands-based company that donates its services to one charitable project per year. In 2025, that project became Redlands Footlighters.
PBLA’s architects drew plans based on feedback gathered by Haynes and Guillame from cast members, crew, directors, tech staff and the board.
The full master plan was unveiled Sunday, June 8, during a gathering of about 50 theater members and supporters. “We sort of dreamed big and came up with the best idea of what we would want,” said board member Fran Gambino.
The vision includes not only new restrooms and a reconfigured lobby but also an outdoor patio, accessible seating, and an event space complete with walking paths, benches and an orange grove featuring local artwork.
Renderings of planned renovations of Footlighters Theatre in Redlands. (Photos: Siw Heede for CFR)
PBLA’s donated services—including surveying, architectural design, and landscaping—amount to approximately $75,000 in value.
“It’s really been fun to work on,” said PBLA’s Matt Evans, who guided attendees through large posters and a video walkthrough of the redesign. “That’s the vision, in phases.”
The proposed upgrades are divided into four phases. Phase 1 alone, which includes the new lobby with restrooms, including a family restroom, an indoor ticket booth, and an outdoor bar and patio, is expected to cost $867,391.
“We’ve had a bit of trouble fixing everything that needs to be fixed,” said Gambino. She recalled it was their "lucky day" when F2 (Footlighters Fundraisers) - a special committee for fundraising - formed to lead the effort.
The fundraising kicks off with three charity shows happening June 28 - 29 where attendees can enjoy a mixer with wine and appetizers followed by a benefit performance of “A Poirot Double Bill” by Agatha Christie.
During the presentation, Guillame spoke about the pioneers who established the theatre 80 years ago: Lucille Crews Marsh, Mary Armstrong, Marianne Finley and Ruth Welch. “They said, how about we come up with a theater for the Redlands community to enjoy,” she said. The RFT started renting out the Grove theatre.
She also highlighted the efforts of Merl and Peggy Williams, who led the push in 1979 to secure their own 5 acres of land and construct the current theater, which opened in 1980. “We leave a legacy, not just for our enjoyment but for people to come long after we are gone,” she said.
“One of our members said, we can’t fail because we are standing on the shoulders of giants,” she added. “Many of you have invested blood, sweat, tears and time. We have been handed the baton.”
Haynes, a third-generation Redlander whose family once owned orange groves where Loma Linda University now stands, said the theater’s role in the community made it an easy cause to support.
“Because the Footlighters have been a staple in Redlands for 80 years, it felt like a worthy cause,” she said. “I enjoy community theater and the productions,” she added, noting that the planned upgrades will honor the building’s vintage character while incorporating architectural elements from the neighboring Asistencia.
The Redlands Footlighters hope to have sold out performances for the benefit show “A Poirot Double Bill” by Agatha Christie on June 28 and 29.
The show will be the kick off for the fundraising efforts to bring the theater into the future and remain a staple in the Redlands Community.
The theater seats about 150 people at each of the three performances.
When: Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with a mixer an hour prior to show time. And Sunday, June 29 at 2 p.m. with a mixer an hour prior to show time.
Ticket price: $30 for the performance. $50 for the performance and mixer. Student ID: $25 and $45 respectively.
Tickets available on the website and at the door: www.RedlandsFootlighters.org or bit.ly/PoirotBenefit
General donations: bit.ly/donate2footlighters
Redlands Footlighters Theatre is a nonprofit community-driven arts organization that produces high-quality theater in Redlands.
Address: 1810 Barton Road, Redlands.
Box office phone: (909) 793 2909
Box office email: tickets@redlandsfootlighters.org
General email: info@redlandsfootlighters.org
Social media: @redlandsfootlighterstheatre
Website: www.redlandsfootlighers.org
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
