Grand Prairie Independent School District (ISD) in Texas has canceled its high school production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” leaving a whole cast of students without the show they auditioned and prepared for. The Grand Prairie ISD Superintendent and Board of Trustees have the power to reverse that decision and let the show go on.

Senior Ana Mota won the lead role of Seymour. She has taken on male roles in the past, such as Jack in “Into the Woods” and Pinocchio. School leaders took the part away and offered her half of the female lead instead. Then the district dropped the musical altogether, according to WFAA.

The district said it reviewed the show’s themes, including the romance between the two leads and an abusive relationship. It also pointed to Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), a Texas law that restricts some sexually oriented shows in public spaces when minors are present. Families deserve a clear explanation of how that law applies to a school musical comedy.

“It’s not a compromise at all. It feels more like a punishment to everyone in the cast,” Mota told WFAA.

For Mota, the show was meant to be one of her final high school performances. Students who earn roles through hard work and fair auditions should be able to play them. And families deserve a voice before a district cancels a program students have poured their time into.

Grand Prairie ISD leaders should restore “Little Shop of Horrors” with the original cast and stage it this school year. They should also publish clear standards for how school productions are reviewed under SB 12, so no other cast loses its show without warning.

Sign the petition to tell Grand Prairie ISD to give these students their show back while there is still time this school year.