Grand Prairie ISD canceled South Grand Prairie High School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors after senior Ana Mota won the male lead role, citing state-law compliance and concerns about an abusive relationship in the musical, Fox 4 reported.
Mota earned the part of Seymour, who develops a romantic relationship with a female character. The district tried to replace her in the role before canceling the production, she told Fox 4.
District cites casting and abusive themes
The district’s statement cited both the casting decision and the musical’s abusive-relationship themes, and said officials would seek a more appropriate production.
“This course of action does not diminish the accomplishments and the talents of these students,” the district said in its statement to Fox 4.
Mota said she had previously played three male characters in school musicals. She and her mother plan to ask the school board to reinstate the show and would consider legal action, she told Fox 4.
Two laws share the SB 12 name
The district’s statement does not specify which legislative session’s Senate Bill 12 it cites. ABC News identified the measure as the 2025 education law in its Wednesday report.
That law restricts public school instruction, guidance, activities and programming concerning sexual orientation or “gender identity.” It also preserves students’ constitutionally protected speech and expression that do not materially disrupt school activities. Its text does not expressly prohibit a female student from playing a male character.
Dallas ISD proposed policy revisions as lawmakers advanced the education measure in 2025, The Dallas Express reported.
Court ruling concerns a different law
Mota also pointed to an August ruling against a law called SB 12, Fox 4 reported. That dispute concerns a separate 2023 law regulating sexually oriented performances.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner declared that law unconstitutional on August 25 and barred Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-Texas) from enforcing it. The order addresses Paxton’s civil enforcement authority under Section One, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
That judgment does not resolve the 2025 education law’s application to the musical. The district’s published explanation does not identify a specific statutory provision that Mota’s performance would violate.
