A Texas high school girl was cast as the male lead in her school’s Little Shop of Horrors, then the district canceled the entire production

Grand Prairie Independent School District in Texas has canceled South Grand Prairie High School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors after senior Ana Mota was cast in the male lead role. Mota was set to play Seymour, the floral shop worker at the center of the musical.

According to FOX 4, the district decided to scrap the entire production shortly after the casting was finalized. Mota, an experienced theater student who has played nearly two dozen roles since seventh grade, had been looking forward to taking on the part.

She told NBC DFW that she played Jack, a male role, in last year’s production of Into the Woods. She explained that high school theater programs often have far more female students than male ones, since only so many students join theater to begin with.

The district pointed to a state law

The outlets noted that the district said in a statement that it is conscious of guidance from state leadership in Austin and aims to comply with local policies as well as state and federal law. The statement confirmed that a female student had recently been cast in the role of a male character.

The district said a romantic relationship develops between the two main characters, and that it also considered the musical’s themes involving an abusive relationship when deciding to “pull that production and find something more appropriate.” It added that the decision was part of its ongoing effort to remain consistent with Senate Bill 12 and all applicable law.

Reports differ on which law the district meant, since Texas has two laws numbered Senate Bill 12. NBC DFW described it as a 2025 law that prohibits schools from providing instruction, guidance, or programming related to sexual orientation or gender identity, while The Dallas Morning News reported the district pointed to a 2023 law restricting certain drag performances.

A federal judge declared that 2023 law unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement in August, per ACLU Texas. Mota expressed confusion about the district’s interpretation, pointing out that cross-gender casting has a long history in theater.

She told reporters that men regularly played women’s roles in Shakespearean theater, and that cross-gender casting has never been considered outlandish. She added that she doesn’t understand why the district would take that tradition and warp it.

Mota told FOX 4, “It’s really saddening just to see that this is what the district is focused on,” arguing that there are many more pressing issues to address. She also described theater as a form of truth and called the decision censorship that needs to stop.

As of now, the district has not announced a replacement production. Per FOX 4, Mota and her mother are preparing to address the school board to advocate for the musical’s reinstatement and have indicated they are prepared to pursue legal action if the decision stands. The case is the latest Texas high school story to draw national attention this year, after a Houston teacher’s video about seniors struggling to read went viral in August.