Phoenix Union High School District leaders have a new date for the previously postponed school play.
In a new letter sent to families Monday, "The Laramie Project" is back on at the Cesar Chavez High School — now slotted for this Friday.
"The Laramie Project" is a play based on the fatal torture and beating of Matthew Shepard, a gay 21-year=-old, in 1998.
Cesar Chavez High School was set to perform the play last Friday before the one-day performance was abruptly shut down by the district, hours before opening. At the time there was no word of a new show date.
There was public outcry over the postponement, leading to a feeling of censorship by many including the school’s theatre director Jonathan C. Hart.
In a social media post over the weekend, Hart said he had previously agreed to take out bad language, and that every student in the cast had a signed parental permission slip.
Richard Franco is a spokesperson with the district.
“The decision to postpone the performance was made after the sneak peek rehearsal was viewed by students and campus leaders. The themes and language in the play need additional acknowledgements and disclaimers for families and students who plan to attend," Franco said.
A meeting on Monday with Hart and the students did ultimately remedy the situation, and a new date was chosen.
"I feel very heard, I feel very supported. Administration also came in and talked to the students and sort of explained where they were at the time and where they were going forward and ultimately said that they are going to allow us to do the show as it is written,” Hart said.
Hart also says more disclaimer materials and marketing, along with some audience restrictions, have been put in place.
Hart reflected on the whole situation.
"It was a little bit of a last minute shock, a little bit of a 'oh no, all this hard work and time' and kind of fear that maybe they [the district] would 100% take it away from the students, and then a lot of relieve and happiness that it gets to finish out and follow through," Hart said.
The school's principal also sent a letter to families Monday, reiterating the district's reasoning, and also gave a content advisory for attendees.
The full letter can be read below:
