By Betty Ontiveros

Business Leaders give children art, theatre, and music through funding of Playa's Theatre Group

“So, if you are the Christ, yes, the great Jesus Christ, prove to me that you're divine. Change my water into wine! That's all you need do, then I'll know it's all true. Come on, King of the Jews!” screams a young actor practicing to play King Herrod in the upcoming play, Jesus Christ Superstar.

You see, this is Pasion Playa, a place where young kids go to learn and discover themselves through acting, theatre, and music by putting on plays – where young people and those with experience in the arts come together to unite the spirit that is our community..........

Set up by Maria Martina Puchpasos and Shane Southcott, owners of the Media Luna Restaurant on 5^th Avenue, Pasion Playa A.C. is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and give culture, art, and education to the young people in the PlayaMaya.

“We aspire to give young residents in the area an opportunity to develop their artistic, theatrical, and musical abilities though theatre art” says Shane Southcourt, one of the founding directors.

“It actually started with an idea my mother had 30 years ago in Canada. She created a group of children to put on plays to give them something to do after school that would add to their experiences. It worked well and I thought that here in Playa, it would work too!” Shane explains.

To get started, the group garnered leaders in the community. Now, it is completely funded by local business.

“We are working on getting our tax deductible status with Hacienda so that businesses can write off the donations.” Shane expresses. “Generally, we start in January to produce the shows for April and the the community really comes out to get it done.”

Last season, in their first full production, Pasion Playa presented the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar. It was shown at the Estrella Theatre on 2^nd and Juarez. With a live band and over 60 performers and other staff, and the community really came out in strong support.

“….with such amazing success last year, it was decided to do it again this year and elevate it to another level. So this time, we present in Cancun and Playa. We just finished putting on 2 shows in Cancun on April 3 and 4^th at the big theatre. It was a huge success. Lots of positive press and the kids had great fun.” interjects Paula Harbrink, one of the chorus singers, donors, and also owner of Star Condos here in Playa. And, now we are here, back in Playa and will play on April 15^th at the Plaza Centenario.

Since it’s inception, the group has grown 5 fold in size. It started with 20 kids. Currently, there are over 100 people involved in the show and that does not even include the donors and sponsors.

Next year – Shane and his crew plan an even more ambitious effort. They expect to start up again in November and add a few more shows to the itinerary.

And a young man playing Pontius Pilate says “Look at your Jesus Christ! I'll agree, he's mad! Ought to be locked up, but there is no reason to destroy him! He's a sad little man! Not a king or God, not a theif! I need a crime!” –

“Act III, change the set, let’s roll people!” says producer Maria Martina Puchpasos.

Pasion Playa can be reached through Shane Southcott by phone+52.984.873.0526, email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , or at Media Luna Restaraurant on 5^th Avenue.

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