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Grand Prairie student urges district to handle future school productions differently
South Grand Prairie High senior Ana Mota told the school board that canceling “Little Shop of Horrors” after she was cast as Seymour disrupted students and the community. The district cited concerns about a 2025 state law and the show’s content; it has selected “Frozen” as a replacement.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Ana Mota, a senior at South Grand Prairie High School, asked Grand Prairie ISD trustees Thursday to consider the effect of their decision to halt the school’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” after she was cast as Seymour, the musical’s male lead.
The board addressed the dispute at its first meeting since the cancellation, though the issue was not listed on the agenda. District leaders said the production raised concerns about compliance with Senate Bill 12, enacted in 2025, as well as the show’s content. The law restricts how school districts teach about gender identity.
Mota said district officials tried to recast her in a female role before canceling the musical altogether. She told trustees the district acted cautiously because it feared the production could run afoul of the law, and said the decision had set students back.
“I hope that in the future, if something like this comes up, that they can handle it in a better way,” Mota said.
Board President Emily Liles said the superintendent had told trustees the performance would not meet the requirements of the 2025 law. The district decided to stop the production, regroup and move forward, she said.
Mota’s mother, Nancy Jimenez, asked district leaders to clarify which part of the law prompted the decision. She said her attempts to get an explanation from the superintendent had gone unanswered.
The school has selected “Frozen” as its next musical. Mota said she plans to audition, with auditions expected to take place in January, but told the board she also wanted to speak up for future productions.
The cancellation drew attention to how school districts interpret state restrictions when making decisions about student performances. District leaders have cited the law, but the meeting remarks did not identify the specific provision they believe applied to the casting or production.