High School Students Claim Play Canceled Due To Gay Scene Between 2 Male Characters
File photo of an empty classroom. (credit: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images)
MAIDEN, N.C. (CBS Charlotte) — Students at a North Carolina high school claim their school play was canceled due to a gay scene between two men.
The Hickory Record reports that Maiden High School canceled the “Almost, Maine” play that was the school’s drama students were originally allowed to do.
Students tell the Record the play was canceled due to the public outcry of two male characters who declare their love for one another. The characters do not kiss but fall down on stage to depict “falling in love.”
Conner Baker, the play’s student director, explained that the drama team edited the final scene to make sure it did not imply the two characters were going to have sex.
“We received approval from our principal and the school’s superintendent to do this play. We also had to have every student’s parent sign a permission slip before they could audition. We did this, auditioned everyone and started rehearsals,” Baker told the Record. “Word had spread throughout the community that there were homosexual characters in our play. There were complaints from different churches and multiple parents of students.”
In a statement, Maiden Principal Rob Bliss said the play was canceled due to sexually explicit overtones and innuendos.
“In regards to the request for students to perform the play ‘Almost Maine,’ careful review and consideration was given to the contents of this play. The play contained sexually explicit overtones and multiple sexual innuendos that are not aligned with our mission and education objectives,” Bliss told the Record. “As principal of Maiden High School, I have an obligation to ensure that all material, including drama performances, are appropriate and educationally sound for students of all ages.”
Student actor Ty Simmons said that drama is put on the “back burner” because the school cares more about its athletic department.
“Mr. Bliss was getting burnt at the stake for this because it’s Maiden – we’re the minority. It’s all about sports here, and drama is really on the back burner,” he told the Record. “I don’t like it, but I understand why Mr. Bliss did what he did.”
The play was written by John Cariani and opened off-Broadway in 2005.
