Ana Mota, a 17-year-old senior at South Grand Prairie High School in Texas, has filed a federal lawsuit against her school district after being removed from the lead role in the upcoming production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Mota, an experienced theater student, was initially cast as Seymour Krelborn, the male protagonist, but school officials reversed the decision citing concerns related to a recently enacted state law.

Mota, who has previously played male characters in various school plays, including Jack in “Into the Woods” and Pinocchio in “Pinocchio Commedia,” expected to portray Seymour as a male character, consistent with the licensed version of the musical. The school district, located southwest of Dallas, rescinded the casting decision, citing the romantic and abusive relationships depicted in the show as reasons for halting the production. Officials also referenced Senate Bill 12, a Texas law that restricts teaching about gender identity and prohibits schools from supporting gender transition efforts, aligning the decision with the school’s efforts to comply with the legislation.

The lawsuit, filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, accuses the Grand Prairie Independent School District of sex discrimination under Title IX, arguing that Mota was denied educational opportunities because of her sex. Mota’s attorney, Jonathan Winocur, emphasized the impact on her final year of high school, saying the removal deprived her of a valuable opportunity to develop her acting skills.

According to the lawsuit, Mota is not transgender and was not involved in any gender transition; rather, she was cast in a traditional theatrical practice in which actors portray characters of a different gender. Following the reversal, the school offered Mota the chance to share the role of Audrey, a female character, but she declined, stating she had not auditioned for that part and did not want to displace another student.

The lawsuit further contends that none of the provisions of Senate Bill 12 apply to Mota’s case. The school district has not yet responded to the lawsuit and declined to comment on the matter, citing pending litigation.

Amid the dispute, South Grand Prairie High School has decided to replace “Little Shop of Horrors” with a production of “Frozen.” Mota expressed hope that the court would order her reinstatement as Seymour in the original musical, but she also plans to audition for roles in the new production.

Advocates for artistic freedom have framed the case as a significant example of the broader debate over restrictions on school curricula and activities. Critics argue that legislation like Texas’s Senate Bill 12 is being used to limit educational opportunities and censor traditional theatrical practices. The constitutionality of the Texas law is currently being challenged in other courts.