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How Can I Help? |
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How Can I Help?
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Photo Credit - Kevin Parks
The Cast
Peter Tussey
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Peter Tussey is delighted to be part of How Can I Help?, adapted by director Victoria McGee, and feels honored to collaborate with such a generous and talented cast and creative team. He currently works as an associate social worker and earned his MSW from California State University, Los Angeles, in May 2025. A proud member of QTeez, an all LGBTQ+ improv group based in Ventura, California, Peter believes deeply in the power of storytelling and the importance of being of service, both on stage and in his community.
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Emily Valance
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Emily is excited to be backstage at SPTC again! You may have seen her in the one-acts, which she has performed in four times. She is involved in community theater all across Ventura county, including at the Ojai Art Center, the Elite Theatre, and the Alcazar. In her free time, she enjoys reading library books and watching old movies. Enjoy the show!
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Martha Benavides
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Martha began her acting journey at Ventura College, later attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC). Onstage, she has appeared at the Santa Paula Theater Center, Fractured Actors (Ventura) and The Alcazar (Carpinteria). Martha’s debut as a playwright was in 2025 when her one act, 12 Hours, premiered on Santa Paula Theater Center’s Backstage. Martha was featured in the independent films Up the Junction, The Heiress, Late For The Sky and is currently in production for Hit The Seat. She is grateful to Victoria for the opportunity to be part of this piece and is especially thankful to all the Helpers. ‘It is never too late to be what you might have been’- George Eliot
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Sara Boughton
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Sarah is thrilled to be dipping her toes into her first Backstage@SPTC passion project. Sarah has Directed and acted in shows on SPTC’s MainStage. She has also been seen at The Elite and the fondly remembered Camarillo Skyway Playhouse. Before pounding on the doors of theaters in Ventura County, Sarah worked in LA and NY. She received her BFA from Syracuse University. Special thanks to Mike and the girls, always.
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Leticia Mattson
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Leticia Mattson is taking a short break from production to be a part of this amazing How Can I Help cast. So far this year Leticia Stage Managed Appropriate and had lots of fun working tech for Beyond Therapy on the Backstage. Recently, Leticia has been lucky to have worked on Farndale/A Christmas Carole, and American Son. She also had a blast producing and stage managing The History of Fire, by James James on the backstage. She was also honored to work with the amazing A Streetcar Named Desire cast and crew, as the Woman and Mexican Flower Woman. And of course the year would not be complete without participating on the production teams for Plazapalooza 25 and GhostWalk. Leticia sends a sincere heartfelt thanks to her family and her theater family for their support this last year. Leticia also sends her unending gratitude to Bill Mattson, she could not have done any of this without him. Enjoy the show.
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Bill Mattson
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Bill Mattson has been a part of The Santa Paula Theater Center ever since his wife Leticia drew him into it many years ago. He has appeared in the main stage production of Arsenic and Old Lace, the backstage production of Twinkle, Twinkle Killer Kane, and numerous one-act plays including Murder Part Deux, Einstein’s Brain, Only Essentials, and Phil. His writing credits include the one-act plays The Fishing Trip, Phil, and the Ghostwalk monologue Sea Star. Bill is humbled to share the stage with such a talented cast and thanks Victoria McGee for her trust and careful, thoughtful direction.
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The Crew
Director
Victoria McGee |
Victoria McGee is amazed to be directing this play! The project has been close to her heart for a very long time and it’s such a joy to bring it to the Backstage@SPTC! She has appeared at SPTC in Circle Mirror Transformation, Baskerville, and Farndale etc., and directed previously for Playzapalooza. She has appeared in theatrical productions in Ventura County, Tucson, Maui, and Los Angeles. She wrote the short film, “Waking Up in Crazytown” which garnered achievements at the Indie Short Fest and the Hollywood Shorts Film Festival. She is also the author of “A Trauma Toolbox, How to Include Your Soul in Healing Trauma,” and director of Free Range Comedy SoCal, a comedy improvisation group in Ventura County. Comedy, theatre, spirituality – it’s all healing, it’s all service. Many thanks to SPTC for this place that waters the seeds of creativity, and to my friends and family for their ever-loving support. Special shoutout to Heidi Juarez, who jumped into the role of Producer with gusto and surpassed all expectations!!
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Producer
Heidi Juarez |
Heidi is excited for the opportunity to be a first-time producer for this play. She’s a member of the theater center board and has helped backstage on a Streetcar Named Desire and The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of a Christmas Carol.
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Stage Manager
Jennifer Skutley |
Jennifer is thrilled to be working on the the backstage after a long break from theater. Her return was initiated by the recent holiday production of Farndale where she ran lights and sound. When she heard the synopsis of How Can I Help? she knew that she wanted to work on this show. Helping and being helped makes such a powerful, beautiful impact on our lives. Jennifer is thankful for the opportunities she's had to help others and the help she has been given and how it has made her the person she is today.
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Lighting Designer
Donnie Stroud |
Donnie has been acting since the Nixon abomination. His addiction to the creative process continues to drive him to learn new things even though he’d rather be napping. Donnie is glad to be working with a fantastic group of people on a production with such a timely message. Empathy is key to our survival.
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Sound Designer
William Hubbard |
William is thrilled to be working as Sound Designer on this incredible play. As an actor, you may have seen William recently in Playzapalooza, Circle Mirror Transformations, Salvatori, or One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild for over 38 years and has appeared in many commercials, films, television shows and has voiced many animated TV shows. He also appears regularly with Free Range Comedy because he likes to make up stuff and act like a goofball. William Hubbard currently resides in Ventura County, California where he plays Gramps, gardens, plays Baritone Ukulele with no measurable progress and edits silly video projects. He would like to thank his family and friends for putting up with the right side of his brain. Aloha…mahalo nui!
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