Volunteers Needed to Keep 84-Year Easter Passion Play Alive

Annual Coastal Bend tradition seeks actors for this Sunday's performance at Cole Park

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:24pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph in soft focus, with blurred figures and the suggestion of an outdoor stage or amphitheater, conveying the communal spirit and timeless atmosphere of a cherished local event.The annual Easter Sunrise Passion Play in Corpus Christi brings the community together to commemorate the holiday through a longstanding theatrical tradition.Corpus Christi Today

Organizers of the 84-year-old Easter Sunrise Passion Play in Corpus Christi, Texas are urgently seeking volunteers to take part in this year's performance at Cole Park. The annual event brings the story of the Passion of Christ to life, but organizers say they are short on actors for the sunrise show this Sunday. No experience is required, and volunteers are invited to attend a rehearsal on Saturday to learn their roles.

Why it matters

The Easter Sunrise Passion Play has been a beloved tradition in the Coastal Bend region for over eight decades, providing families with a meaningful way to commemorate the Easter holiday. As the event faces a volunteer shortage, the community's ability to continue this longstanding tradition is at risk.

The details

The Easter Sunrise Passion Play is scheduled to take place this Sunday at the Cole Park Amphitheater in Corpus Christi, Texas. Organizers are calling on community members to volunteer as actors in the production, which brings the story of the Passion of Christ to life. No prior experience is required, and volunteers are invited to attend a rehearsal on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the amphitheater, where they will be guided through their roles. The performance itself will begin around 7 a.m. on Easter Sunday.

  • The Easter Sunrise Passion Play has been an annual tradition for 84 years.
  • The rehearsal for volunteers is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Easter Sunrise Passion Play performance is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2026 at sunrise, around 7 a.m.

The players

Easter Sunrise Passion Play

An 84-year-old annual event in Corpus Christi, Texas that brings the story of the Passion of Christ to life through a live performance at the Cole Park Amphitheater.

Cole Park Amphitheater

The outdoor venue in Corpus Christi, Texas where the Easter Sunrise Passion Play has been held for decades.

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What’s next

Volunteers are encouraged to attend the rehearsal on Saturday, April 12, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cole Park Amphitheater in order to participate in the Easter Sunrise Passion Play performance on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The takeaway

The Easter Sunrise Passion Play has been a cherished tradition in the Coastal Bend region for over 80 years, bringing the community together to commemorate the Easter holiday. As the event faces a volunteer shortage, the continued existence of this longstanding tradition now relies on the willingness of local residents to step up and take part, ensuring that this meaningful experience can be passed down to future generations.