Rio Rancho Players

Sussman celebrates last play on birthday

'It Happened at the Airport' brings emotions from the audience


Michaela Helean

Observer Staff Writer

Published April 28, 2026 - 2:48 p.m.



RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho Players Community Theater Group Director Mel Sussman celebrated directing his last play on his birthday April 26. The play, “It Happened at the Airport,” was in two portions with a twisty one-act start and a comedic, wholesome series of airport interactions in the second half.

Limited to their costumes and personalities, actors showed how resourceful a play can be with limited equipment. At the end, Sussman was surprised with a birthday song and a plaque recognizing his time with the Players. Part of it reads, “Art and love are the same thing.”


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All donations are welcome. Monthly donations are the easiest way to support RRYC. Affordable and automatic, sustaining donations are what keeps the curtain up and theatre alive in Rio Rancho.

Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre is Rio Rancho's only all ages community theatre group. We welcome all skill levels. It is free to join! When possible we double cast roles so we can involve as many people as possible. We also need people for crew, set design, set building, costuming, make-up, concessions, ushering, etc. If you are interested in helping us bring community theatre to Rio Rancho - please contact us at info@rr-cc.org

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Unscripted: A Rio Rancho Players Improv Club is Back!

Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads (RRCC) is excited to announce the return of Unscripted: A Rio Rancho Players Improv Club, a new program

  • designed for adults (18+) to explore the art of improvisation. It will be 
  • facilitated by Donna Paul, a gifted and experienced improv leader who 
  • ​aims to make this fun and help participants build skills and community.

Participants will activate their imaginations while getting to know each other and forming a foundation for a season filled with laughter, growth, and shared adventures. The classes are free, however, donations appreciated for facilities and supplies!

Logo for the Rio Rancho Players Unscripted Improv Club, featuring a central badge on a vibrant rainbow paint splatter.

Build a Home for the Arts

If you like seeing the arts in Rio Rancho, please donate to our

​HELP US BUILD A HOME fundraiser!! 

​Your gifts will help us secure a permanent space for the theater and all our music, dance, and art programs in Rio Rancho. 

Congratulations to Rio Rancho Players! ​Readers' Choice Winner for Best Live Show - Rio Rancho, November 2025.

Watch these videos to learn more about the Rio Rancho Players!

A HUGE THANK YOU! to Edit House Productions in Rio Rancho for producing this video for us.

Need a promotional video? Learn more about Edit House Productions on their website.

THANK YOU to these local businesses and donors for their support of ​Rio Rancho Players!

Listen to our recent interview on KDSK! Click play below.

Click to add Audio
A person with a beard and glasses wearing a striped button-down shirt, smiling warmly indoors.

Mel Sussman

The Founder Of The Rio Rancho Players Community

Mel Sussman, the founder of the Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre group is a former Managing Consultant for Leadership Effectiveness. He joined McREL (Mid-Continent Research Education Laboratory) after 38 years in public education as a classroom teacher, magnet program coordinator and building level administrator.

Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre Mission Statement

The mission of the Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre, a program of Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads, is to cultivate the creative energy of the diverse citizens of our community to produce high quality theatrical experiences, enrich the cultural life of Rio Rancho, and foster cooperation, communication and partnership in an inclusive, nurturing environment.