Sean McCulley and his wife Connie in front of the historic Fillmore Towne Theatre on Central Avenue. Photo Credit Carina M. Montoya.

Written by Carina M. Montoya
Fillmore resident Sean McCulley, owner of the historic Fillmore Town Theatre on Central Avenue, deserves a standing ovation for his efforts in reviving the town’s old theatre. Born in Scottsdale, Arizona, Sean’s family moved to Southern California when he was a baby. He grew up in Glendale, La Crescenta, Garden Grove, Riverside and Los Angeles. As an adult, he lived in Thousand Oaks and Santa Clarita.

It was when he lived in Santa Clarita and drove Highway 126 through Fillmore once a week to work the concerts at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, that the small town caught his eye. Sean explored Fillmore and liked the small-town feel, open space, landscape, and its trains. He soon purchased a house in town that became home to him and his wife, Connie.
Sean is a videographer by profession. His production company, now based in Fillmore, produces various types of videos, such as promotional, how-to, documentary, instructional, educational, fundraising, and short films as well as multi-camera concerts, racing events, and talk shows. Sean’s projects take him outside of the US and Hawaii to various countries including Jamaica, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guam, Okinawa, Hong Kong, China, India, Holland, and Canada. His expertise in film and the purchase of the old Fillmore Town Theatre has brought Hollywood to Fillmore.

Sean purchased the old theatre in November 2021. It took many months of labor and costly repairs to restore the building enough to obtain a certificate of occupancy, which he attained in October 2022. Its grand opening in October 2022, just days after he secured the certificate of occupancy, featured the multi-award-winning film “And the Earth Did Not Swallow Him.” The theatre also has featured musical bands under actor Danny Trejo’s label “Trejo’s Music,” “House Arrest,” a local musical group that always packs a full house, and comedy shows. There is much more to come in the months ahead. The goal is to return the Town Theatre to a hub of Fillmore entertainment and activity as it was 100 years ago. Sean’s vision of the theatre is “connecting artistic expression to the human experience.”

Although Sean’s profession often takes him out of town and out of the country on projects, he still finds the time to give back to the community and the world by devoting time and service as a member of Fillmore’s Rotary Club. He also finds time to spend on activities he enjoys, including an annual Halloween display, model trains, anything Star Trek and occasionally skiing (although he does not claim to be a proficient skier), and old cars. More importantly, he devotes time to his wife Connie and their dog Winnie, a West Highland Terrier.

Next time you are in downtown Fillmore, stop by the theatre to see what’s posted. If you see Sean on a ladder changing the letters on the marquee or doing outdoor repairs, stop by and say “hello,” or visit www.mudturtletheatrical.org to keep up with all the exciting things to come.