Texas teenager sues school district after Little Shop of Horrors canceled over her casting as male lead

A female high school senior is suing a Texas school district, alleging it violated her rights under Title IX after canceling a play in which she had been cast in the lead male role.Ana Mota, a 17-year-old student at South Grand Prairie High School, was cast as Seymour, the lead male in Little Shop of Horrors. Although she does not identify as transgender, she has played both male and female theater roles since middle school, the lawsuit states. Recommended Stories However, around a week after rehearsals began, district administration, including the school’s principal, Terrence Starling, notified the theater faculty member, Jordan Thomas, that the role had to be played by a male student. The school district cited concerns that the casting potentially violated Texas Senate Bill 12, which restricts instruction of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, according to the lawsuit. On Oct. 6, the theater faculty told Ana’s mother, Nancy Jimenez-Mota, that her daughter would be removed from the role and offered a shared role as Audrey, a female character in the play, the lawsuit states. Ana refused, stating she didn’t audition for that role and that she wanted to keep the male role she had been selected for.Around a week later, the Grand Prairie Independent School District released a statement, the lawsuit states, to a local media organization:“Recently, a casting decision was made to place a female student in the role of a male character in the school musical. In the musical, a romantic relationship develops between the two main characters. When District leadership learned of this issue and in consideration of themes in the musical involving an abusive relationship, a decision was made to pull that production and find something more appropriate. This decision was made in light of the District’s ongoing effort to ensure its programs remain consistent with Senate Bill 12 and all applicable law.”Grand Prairie ISD Board President Emily Liles later said the school would instead prepare to put on the musical Frozen, according to the lawsuit.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ‘MONITORING’ LEFTIST ORGANIZERS IGNORING NEW TERRORISM SANCTIONS: STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALThe lawsuit, which was filed by Ana’s parents, alleges her Title IX rights were violated because she was denied the role due to being a woman. The lawsuit also claims she was retaliated against when the play was canceled, after Ana declined to be reassigned to a female role.The Washington Examiner contacted the school district for comment.