Casting decisions cause Grand Prairie ISD to cancel musical

Grand Prairie ISD canceled a production of Little Shop of Horrors at South Grand Prairie High School after a female student was cast as the male lead. The district says leaders chose to pull the plug because of the casting choice and the show's themes. The award-winning musical is about a man who accidentally grows a human-eating plant. Fox 4's Vanya Castillo spoke to the young actress at the center of this controversy. The high school senior tells me her rights are being trampled on. She says the district first tried to recast her before pulling the production entirely. Her Animote theater has always been a part of her life, but her last high school musical was supposed to be something special. The senior at South Grand Prairie High School landed the role of Seymour, the traditionally male lead in Little Shop of Horrors. After I found out I got the role, I would drive to school, and I would listen to just the soundtrack and to work in just the soundtrack. But five days later, she was told she wouldn't be allowed to play the part. She says the district wanted to replace her with a male student and have her share the role of the female lead. She declined. It wasn't the role I was given. It wasn't the role I earned. And I know that if I earned something, then I want to carry out and I want to do that. But if I don't, then I don't. Mota says she had a problem with the district's reasoning. She'd already played three male characters before at the same school. She says district officials told her it was different this time because it was a romantic role. in the musical Seymour falls in love with a female character the district told us it was also concerned about the themes involving an abusive relationship but also cited Senate Bill 12 a Texas law aimed at restricting drag performances saying in a statement the Grand Prairie ISD is conscious of the guidance provided by our local leaders in Austin our goal is always to comply with not only our own local policies but also state and federal it's really saddening just to see that this is what the district is focused on when there are so many more issues that can be addressed. In August, a federal judge ruled that the drag ban was unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement. Her mother decided to reach out to the district. So she was a little confused on why it was being enforced and being enforced in circumstances that don't fall within its scope. Both and her mom say they'll be going to the school board meeting later this week and ask that the district reinstate the musical. They do say they are willing to take legal actions. Vanessa Castillo, Fox 4 News.