Grand Prairie ISD Cancels Little Shop of Horrors, Citing 2025 Anti-DEI SB12 Over 2023 Anti-Drag Law

South Grand Prairie High School in Texas has replaced its planned production of Little Shop of Horrors with Disney's Frozen after Grand Prairie ISD blocked the musical. At a Thursday board meeting, board president Emily Liles said the decision rested on 2025's SB12, an anti-DEI law barring diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and activities centered on gender identity in Texas schools, rather than 2023's SB12, the anti-drag measure twice ruled unconstitutional. The district did not explain how a female student playing a male role conflicts with the newer law. Senior Ana Mota, cast as Seymour, asked the board to identify the bill's wording that prevents her from portraying a male character and whether fear of violating SB12 outweighs her Title IX rights. Her mother, Nancy Jimenez-Mota, said she learned through a reporter that the district meant the 2025 DEI bill, a distinction never made in conversations with Suzy Meyer, Area Chief – Secondary, and Lance Morse, Executive Director of Fine Arts. Jimenez-Mota said the family is exploring legal options under Title IX. Before canceling, the district proposed splitting Audrey between Mota and another student and promoting the male Seymour understudy. Auditions for Frozen have not been held.