Performing Arts High School Pulls Play Due To Sexual Dialog
DUVAL COUNTY (FLV) – The Douglas Anderson School of Performing Arts in Duval County has cancelled the production of Paula Vogel’s play “Indecent,” citing “sexual dialog” in the play.
According to reports, “Indecent” had already been casted but then the high school decided to swap out the play for “The Seagull,” a classic Anton Chekhov play.
The decision was made because the play “contains adult sexual dialog that is inappropriate for student cast members and student audiences. It’s that simple,” according to Sonya Duke-Bolden, Duval County district spokesperson.
Students were required to gain parental consent to appear in “Indecent.”
Duke-Bolden said the shift had nothing to do with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ legislation, the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act.
“The decision has no relevance to any legislation but is rather a function of our responsibilities to ensure students engage in educational activities appropriate for their age,” Duke-Bolden said.
The National Coalition Against Censorship, PEN America, and the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund have urged school officials to rescind their decision and work with students to stage the play as planned.”
In a statement, the organizations said: “Indecent is a critically acclaimed and award-winning 2015 play by Paula Vogel that possesses rich educational and artistic merit. It has been produced Off-Broadway, on Broadway, and has been broadcast on PBS. It explores the story behind the 1907 Yiddish play, God of Vengeance, and how it was censored on Broadway in 1923 for obscenity, in part, over its depictions of lesbian relationships.”
“The cancellation of the play is also deeply hurtful to LGBTQ+ students, including members of the cast, who see the rejection of the play as a denial of the historical experience of LGBTQ+ people and the persistence of discrimination against them,” the statement said.
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is a Duval County Public School for students grades 9 through 12 with a desire for intensive study in the arts.
