My project will consist of looking into censorship rules across public schools.

I want to determine what the

regulations are for censorship, or if it is entirely unique to each school. I also want to see what plays are
widely considered inappropriate and which (if any) of my favorite plays are allowed in public schools. I will
then present my findings to the class and turn in a list of plays I would want to direct or do scene-work
from in future theatre classes.

Findings:
Censorship across school districts and disciplines:
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Ultimately, the administration and school board have the final say regardless of what you think
as an artist. Balancing the line of artist and educator can be difficult. This applies to art and
music teachers as well as theatre; many school art exhibits or choir concerts have had pieces
banned or censored due to content.
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and International Reading Association
(IRA) make distinctions between censorship and selection. This is a fine line with a wide
margin for gray area. Obviously teachers and administrators need to select material that is
age-appropriate for their students, things that can be comprehended, and material that
makes sense with the curriculum. Censorship occurs when materials are banned due
specifically to content that is objectionable by a select group, not necessarily due to reading
ability, comprehension, or other measurable factors. Whereas the goal of censorship is to
remove, eliminate or bar particular materials and methods, the goal of professional
guidelines is to provide criteria for selection of materials and methods.
(http://ncac.org/resource/first-amendment-in-schools/#understandcensorship)
Censorship can be a problem in literature for English classes, since classic books often get
challenged: Harry Potter, The Giver, Bridge to Terabithia, Of Mice and Men, Huckleberry
Finn, The Catcher in the Rye, etc.
Common grounds for censorship: sexually explicit, offensive language, nudity, promoting
homosexuality, racism, and promoting Satanism.
Religious reasons are often used as support for censorship (specifically in regard to moral
behavior and sexuality)
Courts will rarely rule on the side of one or two students or parents who are offended. Courts
often legally support material being presented in classes as long as there is educational value.
This can sometimes get messy with theatre however, since you are performing for paying
audiences.

Theatre
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Superintendents choosing to cancel a play production is not considered a violation of students

First Amendment Rights. However, some teachers who have had plays cancelled have created
their own production companies outside of school and allowed students to audition and
participate in community theatre style performance.

Common shows to get cancelled include: Rent, Spamalot, The Laramie Project, Carrie, Avenue Q,
All Shook Up, Almost Maine (which is also one of the most produced plays in high schools)
It goes to show that there are few hard and fast rules about censorship of productions. Much of
it depends on the public opinion in whatever town you are in. Be aware of your audience.
Conservative crowds may find something offensive in any material you present. Always be sure
you have a well-reasoned educational argument as to why you are producing that show.
Common high school plays: Our Town, Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Almost Maine, You
Cant Take It With You, Fools, The Crucible, Alice in Wonderland, Noises Off, Twelve Angry Men,
Seussical, Grease, Footloose, The Music Man, anything by Shakespeare
(http://www.playbill.com/news/article/top-10-lists-announced-for-most-performed-plays-andmusicals-in-high-school-174508)
Something to note: Almost Maine is on both of the lists above. Again, anything can happen. Just
know your audience and youll be fine. Run the show by your administrators, dont hide any of
the inappropriate content in the first meetings with your bosses, and dont back down if you
believe it is a piece of theatre that your school and community needs to see.

Art:
-

This article explains what happened in a high school in Alaska to a group of art students and
their display. http://www.adn.com/article/20130412/alaska-school-veils-student-art-showafter-complaint
Art most commonly is censored for graphic images, so you need to be aware of what students
are creating and make sure it aligns with school standards and policies.

Music:
-

Music is censored significantly less frequently in public schools because, frankly, there is not a
lot of choral music that is considered by contemporary audiences to be offensive. However, as a
music teacher, you will likely be asked to assist with the school musical. These shows get
censored much more frequently, so it is important to know the rules and be willing to fight for
shows that provide strong musical opportunities for your instrumentalists and vocalists.