Minneapolis, Minn. (WCCO/CNN Newsource) — A high school is canceling a play that includes characters wearing KKK robes.
A picture of the students in their robes was posted on social media, causing a huge backlash against the performance.
Administrators felt there was no choice but the cancel the show.
The stage was set in the auditorium at New Prague High School, but there was no performance, not after this picture stole the show:
Principal Lonnie Seifert said, “Is it disappointing? Yes, I’m disappointed for the kids that invested so much time in the play and performing.”
Seifert said it was a tough decision canceling the school’s spring play “The Foreigner”–one that’s been performed in high schools across the country.
The story is a comedy and portrays the KKK as antagonists.
“It’s got a good message, a message of inclusiveness and acceptance of all. But unfortunately I believe what happened with the social media, the message is now lost,” Seifert said.
The picture taken during rehearsal includes a caption reading “I think you’re gonna wanna come to the spring play.”
Seifert said, “I really truly don’t believe there was ill intent on the part of the person that posted it.”
But the damage was done.
Students and parents offended by the post and the play met with Seifert as well as the play director. Seifert added, “And I’m disappointed some of our students had to go through the feelings that they went through seeing that post also.”
And that’s why this weekend the seats will stay empty in the auditorium and the show won’t go on.
“I think we need to make decisions with all students in mind. and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Seifert.
Seifert says students had been rehearsing for more than a month.
The play’s director says he takes full responsibility for not better communicating the play’s message with the student body when it was chosen.
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