Grand Prairie ISD has canceled its high school production of Little Shop of Horrors at South Grand Prairie High School after a female student was cast in the traditionally male lead role of Seymour.
The decision came about a week into rehearsals. Senior Ana Mota, 17, had won the part after four days of auditions and callbacks. She had previously played male roles at the school, including Jack in Into the Woods, without issue. District officials initially told her the role would be reassigned to a male student. When she declined a different part, the district canceled the production entirely and said it would select a replacement show.
The Dallas Morning News first reported the cancellation. In a statement, Grand Prairie ISD said it is working to comply with its own policies as well as state and federal law, including Texas Senate Bill 12, which restricts certain drag performances. The district noted that a romantic relationship develops between the two main characters in the musical and cited themes involving an abusive relationship as additional reasons for pulling the production. Officials said the decision does not diminish the accomplishments or talents of the students involved and that the goal is to put them in a position to succeed while following the law.
A federal judge has twice ruled the Texas drag performance law unconstitutional and blocked the state from enforcing it. Critics of the law have said it has created widespread confusion for schools. Mota told the Dallas Morning News she was upset by the decision and said the role was not drag. She noted that the school’s planned adaptation of the show had already removed any kiss between the characters.
Theater advocates have criticized the cancellation, pointing out that cross-gender casting has a long history in theater. The Educational Theatre Association issued a statement urging the district to reconsider and restore the production, arguing that portraying characters different from oneself is a core part of theater education.
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