Jodi Picoult Responds to Cancellation of High School Play in Indiana

In a controversial move, officials at Mississinewa High School in Gas City, Indiana, cancelled a highly anticipated production of the play “Between the Lines,” just two weeks before its scheduled premiere. The decision, according to school superintendent Jeremy Fewell, was prompted by concerns over content deemed inappropriate for a public school setting, specifically citing “sexual innuendos and alcohol references.”

The cancellation has sparked a national conversation about freedom of expression and censorship in schools. Jodi Picoult, the author of “Between the Lines,” criticized the decision, calling it “the latest example” of encroachment on artistic freedom. The play, co-written by Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer, centers around a teenage girl who discovers that a prince from her favorite fairy tale is alive and seeks her help to escape his fictional world.

Picoult expressed her dismay in an interview with Nexstar’s WXIN/WTTV, stating that she was in England when she received news of the cancellation. “There is absolutely nothing in ‘Between the Lines’ that a high school student has not seen on their phone every single day,” she asserted. Furthermore, she clarified that the version of the play intended for Mississinewa High School was already a “sanitized version,” adapted to align with sensitivities that some schools might face.

The controversy intensified when it was revealed that a parent’s complaint may have prompted the cancellation, allegedly regarding a non-binary character in the original material. Picoult countered this claim, noting that the character’s gender identity had been deliberately omitted in the school-licensed version. “There is some weird misunderstanding here,” she remarked.

Despite the setback, there may still be hope for the students involved in the production. Picoult and the Educational Theatre Association have reached out to offer support and explore alternative venues where the students can stage their performance. “We are doing everything that we can to make sure that these kids get to have that moment on stage that they deserve,” Picoult emphasized.

In response to the backlash, Fewell announced that the school would implement a more rigorous review process for future productions. He reiterated that the cancellation was solely his decision, aimed at protecting the interests of the entire student body.

Picoult highlighted the broader implications of such decisions, stating, “There is a colossal problem when that parent makes a decision for everyone else’s children. We are talking about a loss of freedom of expression.” As the debate continues, the story serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between community standards and artistic expression within educational institutions.

The message of “Between the Lines,” according to Picoult, is one of empowerment and self-determination: “The message of the play is to live the story you want if it’s not the story you’re in.” As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Mississinewa High School will navigate the challenges of artistic expression and community values.