When it comes to doing the musical Little Shop of Horrors, the school board that governs South Grand Prairie High in Texas has now told students to just “Let It Go,” as the Disney musical Frozen was picked to replace the popular musical about a people-eating plant. The school board of Grand Prairie ISD has also attempted to clarify its position on the cancelation of Little Shop by saying its reasoning was rooted not in the state’s SB12 legislation from 2023, often called an anti-drag law, which was twice ruled to be unconstitutional, but instead was prompted by 2025’s SB12, an anti-DEI law.
At a school board meeting on Thursday night, board president Emily Liles made the distinction between the two restrictive SB12s, according to reporting by Sarah Bahari of the Dallas Morning News. The second of the two bills bans diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in Texas schools and also bans activities centered on gender identity or any teaching which acknowledges transgender identity. However, there was no explanation given of exactly how a girl performing as a male character runs afoul of the more recent SB12, leaving only the implication that perhaps gender equality has been nixed under its provisions.
In the statement provided to Downstage Center at the beginning of the week, Grand Prairie ISD did not differentiate between the two SB12s, merely referencing “Senate Bill 12 and all applicable law.”
South Grand Prairie High senior Ana Mota, who was originally cast as Seymour, the leading male role in Little Shop of Horrors, spoke up in her own behalf at the board meeting on Thursday evening. She said, in part:
I ask that you look at the exact wording of Senate Bill 12 and find what is it in that bill that prevents me from portraying a male role in a theatrical context. Ask yourselves if the district’s fear of violating SB12 trumps my rights being violated under Title IX.
Grand Prairie ISD said its decision “does not diminish the accomplishments and the talents of these students.” But it does, after days of auditions everyone in the cast earned their role. The district is throwing away those accomplishments.
The mission of GPISD is “To provide an exceptional learning community committed to student academic growth, innovation, and equity for all.” To everyone on this board, I am pleading that you reflect on this mission statement that you have set, and then reflect on the situation at hand. Ask yourself if you have indeed promoted growth, innovation, and equity for all throughout this situation.
Many of the students at South Grand Prairie High School would not like to move forward with production of Little Shop of Horrors. After speaking with my peers, many feel as though it has been tainted. I am speaking here not as a plea for GPISD to bring back the original musical. I am speaking here so GPISD can reflect on this decision, and move in a different direction in the future.
Her mother, Nancy Jimenez-Mota, also spoke at the board meeting, saying in part:
I believe my daughter was discriminated against based on the definition provided under Title IX, and I believe SB 12 was misinterpreted. There comes a time when you need to take a stand because staying silent is taking the side of the oppressor. Houston ISD, Katy ISD, and Plano ISD decided to take a stand. Why not GPISD? Why not take a stand?
Through a news reporter, I learned that the district was referring to the 2025 SB 12 concerning DEI, rather than the 2023 SB 12 concerning the drag ban. However, this was never clarified during my conversation with Dr. Meyer [Suzy Meyer, Area Chief – Secondary at the school district] and Mr. Morse [Lance Morse, Executive Director of Fine Arts for the district]. Furthermore, I still have not received anything in writing from the district explaining its position or answering my questions. What part of SB 12 are you referring to? How are you legally interpreting the law to conclude that my daughter’s role violated whichever SB 12 you are referring to?
Following the board meeting, in a text communication with Downstage Center, Jimenez-Mota wrote, “This SB12 needs to be challenged and schools don’t need to be acting afraid of retaliation from the state.” Jimenez-Mota also said that the family continues to explore legal options under the provisions of Title IX.
The switch to Frozen notably provides for two female lead roles, Anna and Elsa, as well as a male lead, Kristoff. In a stopgap offer before canceling Little Shop of Horrors, Grand Prairie ISD had proposed splitting the role of Audrey between Mota and another female student, while promoting the Seymour understudy, a male student, to the role itself.
Auditions have not yet been held for South Grand Prairie High’s production of Frozen. There is no word on how the school board will rule on the gender identities of the snowman Olaf or the reindeer Sven.
Note: Quotations from Ana Mota and Nancy Jimenez-Mota are taken from their prepared remarks for the board meeting, provided to Downstage Center after its conclusion.
Above: Photo of Ethan Slater and Betsy Wolfe in the current Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors by Emilio Madrid
Read Downstage Center’s Tuesday reporting on Little Shop of Horrors at South Grand Prairie High School by clicking here.
