Copley High School canceled a student staging of Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters two days into rehearsals; administrators say the play wasn’t properly vetted, while alumni and parents point to complaints about its LGBTQ+ content.
The drama club had cast She Kills Monsters and began rehearsals before the school canceled the production, replacing it with Alice in Wonderland.
Superintendent Aimee Kirsch says the play was canceled for procedural reasons — lack of prior administrative vetting and concerns about publisher agreements and age appropriateness.
Carrie Coon and parents dispute the official rationale, noting a parent complaint about the play’s LGBTQ+ themes prompted the review.
# What happened
Copley High School in Summit County, Ohio canceled its planned fall production of Qui Nguyen's 2011 dramedy She Kills Monsters after the drama club had cast roles and spent two days in rehearsal. Administration informed students the play would be replaced with a rendition of Alice in Wonderland.
# School's explanation
Superintendent Aimee Kirsch told the Akron Beacon Journal that the decision was not driven by the play's LGBTQ+ themes. Kirsch said the production had not been properly vetted by administrators and that the district must follow a consistent review process that respects "age boundaries, publisher agreements and district standards." She framed the action as a procedural compliance issue.
Coon also noted that students were aware the official rationale didn't match what prompted the review. "The kids are not stupid. They knew that wasn't the reason why," she said, referencing a parent letter that complained the community would be "upset" by a play that "explicitly explores sexuality and LGBTQ identity."
# Broader context and precedent
She Kills Monsters has been a popular choice for schools and community theaters. The New York Times reported that between 2013 and 2021, 652 schools and colleges staged the play, and over 400 used Nguyen's "Young Adventurers Edition," an adaptation for younger performers and audiences. The article does not specify which edition Copley intended to use.
# What this means for students and the program
Students and family members framed the cancellation as a missed opportunity to present LGBTQ+ characters seriously rather than as caricatures. Carrie Coon said students were "excited to present" the play because many queer characters in theater are treated as jokes, and she viewed the cancellation as sending a "chilling message" to students.
Administrators emphasize adherence to review processes and district standards, suggesting the immediate focus will be procedural: whether the play was submitted and vetted according to policy and which edition was planned.
# What to watch next
The situation joins a pattern of K–12 cancellations of She Kills Monsters where officials cite concerns about suitability while community members point to discomfort over LGBTQ+ themes as the underlying driver.
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