Rehearsals were already underway at a Texas high school when the cast learned the curtain would never rise. The reason had nothing to do with a missed cue or a broken set piece. A school district looked at one casting choice, decided it was a bigger problem than the entire musical, and shut the production down.
Grand Prairie ISD in North Texas canceled its production of Little Shop of Horrors at South Grand Prairie High School after casting a female student as the male lead, Seymour. Senior Ana Mota, 17, won the part after four days of auditions and callbacks, KRLD reported.
School leaders then told her that she would no longer play the role.
Mota was offered the chance to split the role of Audrey with another student. When she declined, the district canceled the production entirely and said it would select a replacement show. Mota told WFAA she was frustrated because she had earned the part and was then barred from playing it.
In a statement, Grand Prairie ISD cited the musical’s romance between its two leads and its themes involving an abusive relationship. The district said the decision keeps its programs consistent with Senate Bill 12, a law restricting drag performances, and that it would “find something more appropriate.”
Internet Reacts to Texas School’s Musical Cancellation
The video drew plenty of comments. One commenter wrote, “OMG, theater has a long history of casting roles not associated with gender.” Another wrote, “Clearly, in Texas they’ve never heard of Shakespeare.” A third said, “Actors, especially in lower grades, cross dress all the time. Zero to do with trans, 100% due to amount of actors needed for a play.”
Others weighed in as well. One user wrote, “That is ridiculous. Even make-believe scares them.” Another commented, “Its acting for God’s sake! Its the job of actors to portray who they are not. Their only job!” A separate commenter wrote, “Do they even realize that throughout history, before women were allowed to be ‘players,’ men portrayed EVERY ROLE in EVERY PLAY?”
KRLD reported that Mota had previously played male roles at the school, including Jack in Into the Woods.
