Escott O. Norton grew up in the worlds of both theatre and architecture. His mother Sally co-founded the Occidental College Summer Drama Festival, and his father Oakley, a math teacher and pioneer in progressive education, designed and built all of Escott’s childhood homes. Escott was drawn to historic theatres from an early age, and the Rialto Theatre was his first. He founded Friends of the Rialto in 1983 to advocate for its protection, and served as executive director of the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation for six years. He continues to advocate for the preservation and revitalization of historic theatres and works as a design consultant for historic theatres, commercial buildings, and residences. Escott has traveled all over the world with his amazing wife Jeanne and sons Kyle and Evan and is grateful for their constant support and patience as he insisted on stopping at every historic theatre he could find!