Texas School Cancels "Little Shop of Horrors" Production Over Drag Law Concerns
A high school in Texas has canceled its production of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" after casting a female student in the lead male role, citing concerns over the state's new law restricting drag performances.
South Grand Prairie High School in Texas has called off its production of "Little Shop of Horrors" due to the casting of a female student, Ana Mota, 17, as the male lead character Seymour Krelborn. The school district determined that the casting could violate Texas Senate Bill 12, a law that prohibits certain performances in front of minors and has been interpreted to include drag performances.
Mota was informed that she would need to be replaced by a male actor a week into rehearsals. When she declined to accept a different role, the district made the decision to cancel the musical entirely, according to reporting by The Dallas Morning News. Mota expressed her frustration, stating that the production is "not drag at all" and that she had worked hard for the role.
Senate Bill 12, authored by Senator Bryan Hughes, was passed in 2023 with the stated aim of banning drag shows in public spaces. However, the ACLU of Texas notes that the law extends beyond drag to encompass any performance deemed "sexually oriented." Court documents indicate that even a single instance of eroticism could lead to legal penalties. "Little Shop of Horrors," while addressing themes such as abusive relationships and murder, does so in a campy and fantastical manner that is generally considered appropriate for high school audiences. The musical does not feature nudity or explicit sexual conduct.
Despite the district's concerns, a US District Judge David Hittner declared Senate Bill 12 unconstitutional on August 25, 2026, and a court order blocked the Texas Attorney General from enforcing it. Mota's mother posted on Facebook that her daughter had earned the role based on her abilities and called the situation "unfair."
The Grand Prairie Independent School District stated that the decision to cancel the production was made after district leadership became aware of the casting and considered the musical's themes, including an abusive relationship, deciding to seek a more appropriate production. However, the school district's Facebook page has reportedly seen numerous comments from the public urging the continuation of the musical with Mota in the lead role, with some noting the long theatrical tradition of women playing male roles.
