Texas School Board Wants to Censor High School Shows

Parents protest at Keller ISD's Timber Creek High School over the cancellation of the play "The Laramie Project" last February. (Matthew Sgroi/Fort Worth Report)

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

In the wake of last year’s controversy with a production of The Laramie Project, a Texas school board has implemented a policy that requires a superintendent-led review of every play and musical before it can be performed, even if it’s been previously approved by the school. The policy would also allow school officials to make changes to the scripts.

Last February, Keller ISD officials canceled a Timber Creek High School production of The Laramie Project — a play about how the murder of a gay student impacted a community. That performance was able to go on after community support for it.

Due to the backlash and attention on Keller’s school board, the policy now adds an extra level of scrutiny in trying to perform theatre productions. According to sources, at Central High School alone, four plays and musicals were denied approval this school year. Previously approved productions, including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Ruthless, and Yellow Boat aren’t permitted to be performed.

According to the Dallas Morning News,

“The correspondence shows fine arts educators at Timberview Middle School sought permission to perform the one-act play Yellow Boat, which is about a child born with hemophilia who dies of AIDS contracted from a blood transfusion.

A theater teacher told school leaders the plan was to make the script available for parents before auditions to ensure they were aware of the content prior to their children getting involved, according to the documents. Another email from a school official objected to the word “bazooka” and suggested an edit, according to the documents.”

Keller ISD’s website says the district’s fine arts program is among “the finest in the nation.” It lists among key values “respect for the diversity of our school community through a culture of understanding and personalized learning opportunities.”

A petition is already being circulated to end the policy. As of the publishing of this article, it’s amassed over 600 signatures.

Here’s my thoughts on this. Theatre often addresses sensitive or provocative themes, which can spark valuable discussions but may also raise concerns among parents, students, and the broader community. School officials have a responsibility to ensure that productions align with educational goals.

I support a reasonable review process that balances artistic freedom and the sensitivities of the audience, particularly in educational settings where students of various ages participate. However, it’s crucial that this oversight doesn’t stifle creativity or prevent the exploration of important topics.

And that’s exactly what seems to be happening in Texas.

Also, the Keller ISD should be reminded that It is illegal to change scripts without the author’s approval because the script is protected by copyright law. The playwright or author owns the intellectual property rights to their work, meaning no one can alter the text, characters, or plot without explicit permission.

I believe that teachers are not purposefully selecting explicit material, but rather are trying to create production environments where students can explore meaningful themes without unnecessary controversy. It’s about finding that balance where learning and creativity thrive within a supportive environment.

I wish Keller and many other school officials felt the same way.