After controversy, Texas school board says transgender student can sing in school musical

[Eugene]

Source: Texas Tribune

After controversy, Texas school board says transgender student can sing in school musical

Ayden Runnels
Tue, November 14, 2023 at 10:46 AM EST·8 min read

Update: The Sherman school board on Monday directed high school leadership to allow the production of "Oklahoma!" to proceed as planned before the school principal stripped trans student Max Hightower of his role, the Dallas Morning News reported. The board also insisted the original script — and not a "youth" version — be used. This ensures Hightower will have a solo. However, it's unclear when the show will be staged.

DENTON — Max Hightower was hooked on theater after watching the musical “Hamilton.” Then just 13, he begged his family to rewatch it immediately. Soon, he started every morning listening to the soundtrack.

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, you can sing in a play, that's insane,’” said Max, who was already an active choir singer.

So, when Max, who is now a high school senior, was cast in a supporting role with his own solo in the Sherman High School production of “Oklahoma!” — a quintessentially American musical about love and statehood — he threw himself into the production.

-snip-

Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/sherman-school-officials-put-trans-012308874.html

Alternate link: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/10/texas-trans-student-musical-sherman-oklahoma/

[Jilly_in_VA]

1. I think

they must have heard about it from the entire country! Go Max and nail it! It's one of the best parts in the musical, along with Will and Ado Annie!

[keithbvadu2]

2. Does the transgender process change the person's voice?

[Shipwack]

5. Yes it does.

A Filk*/New Age singer I adored was Heather Alexander. In 2007 she transitioned to male and changed their name to "Alexander James Adams" and continued to perform in those genres.

A friend went to see him in concert, and I asked about his voice (previously an alto, I believe). She said that was a nice warm baritone.

*Filk - A musical culture, genre, and community tied to science fiction, fantasy, and horror fandom and a type of fan labor.

[Whatthe_Firetruck]

6. They have a beautiful voice...

... Both before and after transition.

I filk. I met og filker Leslie Fish once.

[Shipwack]

7. You met her? Envious! :) nt

[Whatthe_Firetruck]

8. We had a little con / larp thing...

... In the Cali foothills called Adventurers Inn, an offshoot of a mid sized bay area event. The organizers had befriended her, and invited her to our homespun version. So here's Leslie at an event where the total attendance (guests, staff, & merchants) was under 50, and that's being generously high.

At the opening invocation, the speaker seemed to be unconsciously quoting Chickasaw Mountain ("an if there be, anything here, that cometh not in the name of the powers of light, than in the name of the powers of light let it be gone" ). Leslie is holding a bowl of grapes through this, and part way through she lifts it up to the top of her head. (A la Carmen Miranda's Ghost.) Funny as all Hell.

[BootOutTheGoons]

3. If they'd stop there would be no controversy

The people have spoken.

He's back as he deserved to be all along.

[gay texan]

4. Having grown up in this area of Texas, all i have to say is...

Shove it up your ass you toothless hillbilly wanna be christans!

We will walk in the sunshine despite your best bigoted efforts.