Grand Prairie ISD cancels ‘Little Shop of Horrors' after girl lands lead male role

The school district said it called off the musical to comply with a Texas state law restricting drag performances.

Ana Mota was elated after landing the lead role in her high school’s upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors.

The senior at South Grand Prairie High School wanted the part of Seymour, the nerdy floral shop worker who discovers a strange, bloodthirsty plant. Ana thought little of auditioning for a male role. Casting was gender-blind, she said, and she had played male roles before.

Ana immediately dove into the part, spending hours poring over her lines and practicing the songs.

Then a week into rehearsals, 17-year-old Ana was pulled into a meeting with her theater director. The school district, she learned, was taking away her part. District officials said a female student could not play the musical’s male part, citing a 2023 Texas law that banned some drag performances. Ana was confused.

Click here to read more on this report from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.

Grand Prairie ISD released a statement that reads:

The Grand Prairie ISD is conscious of the guidance provided by our leadership in Austin. Our goal is always to comply with not only our own local policies, but also state and federal law.

Recently, a casting decision was made to place a female student in the role of a male character in the school musical. In the musical, a romantic relationship develops between the two main characters. When District leadership learned of this issue and in consideration of themes in the musical involving an abusive relationship, a decision was made to pull that production and find something more appropriate. This decision was made in light of the District's ongoing effort to ensure its programs remain consistent with Senate Bill 12 and all applicable law.

This course of action does not diminish the accomplishments and the talents of these students. Rather, we want to ensure that we do everything in our power to put them in a position to be successful while adhering to state and federal law.