South Valley Civic Theatre: SVCT ' s New Board President Tressa Bender
By Elizabeth Mandel
South Valley Civic Theatre patrons may recognize Tressa Bender from her recent memorable roles in Pippin( King Charlemagne) or Matilda the Musical( Miss Trunchbull). She has been even more prolific behind the scenes, directing The Prom, A Gentleman’ s Guide to Love and Murder, and Fun Home for SVCT. Most recently she produced the teen production of Disney’ s High School Musical on Stage and wrote, directed, and starred in SVCT’ s Holiday on Cue as part of Morgan Hill’ s“ Merry Morgan Hill” holiday festivities. She is also SVCT’ s incoming board president, and Elizabeth Mandel discussed her passion for theater with her, as well as her vision for the theater company.
Tell us about your theater background
Theater has been part of my life
Tressa Bender for as long as I can remember.
My parents met at an audition in college, and my partner Ron and I also share a love of theater. Over the years, I’ ve worn many theater hats, which has given me a deep appreciation for how much care, coordination, and love go into every production. Theater is the place where stories, people, and possibility meet.
You live in San Jose. What drew you into volunteering with SVCT?
Our family, including our sons, joke about how much time we spend in Morgan Hill, and the truth is, it feels like a second home. There’ s a genuine warmth here, a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the stage. Performers, volunteers, staff, audiences, and the broader community all feel connected.
SVCT is proof that community theater can be bold, inviting, and deeply human all at once. It’ s a
Miss Trunchbull in SVCT ' s Matilda
place where ambition and heart coexist, and once you experience that kind of magic, it’ s hard not to want to be part of it.
You are accomplished in many aspects of theater. What is your passion and why?
Acting feeds my love of character, the thrill of stepping into someone else’ s world and telling their story honestly. I find value in every role, but I have a particular fondness for larger-than-life characters who invite us to feel big things.
Directing is where my imagination really gets to stretch. I love shaping an entire world, guiding a story from the first read-through to the final curtain, and helping artists discover just how good they can be together. Building a cast that blends skill, vulnerability, and trust into a shared experience is endlessly rewarding; this is my passion.
What do you hope to accomplish as president of SVCT?
King Charles in SVCT ' s Pippin
As president, my goal is to help SVCT grow with intention. I want to champion the artists, staff, and volunteers who give this company its heartbeat.
I want SVCT to continue being a place where people feel welcome to take creative risks, where audiences feel connected to the stories onstage and the people behind them, and where the future feels as exciting as the next opening night.
To learn more about South Valley Civic Theatre, how to get involved, and upcoming productions, go to https:// www. svct. org.
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