Sex Lives of Superheroes (play)

Medium: Performance Art Theater

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Artist: Stephen Gregg

Confronting Bodies: Anonymous citizen, school faculty, and School Board President Randy Clawson

Dates of Action: 1995

Location: Tempe High School, Tempe, Arizona

Description of Artwork: The play tells the story of a boy, his girlfriend, and his alter-ego who is a stand-up comic. In the one act play, the boy's alter-ego presents a monologue, which includes references to virginity, homosexuality, sex with superheroes, and interplanetary sex.

The Incident: After the play's approval by the High School Principal, an anonymous citizen and a faculty member contacted the school governing board regarding the contact of the play. Upon review by the board President, Clawson ordered the cast members to omit the perceived offensive content or cancel the play.

Results of Incident: Rather then undermine the integrity of the production by omitting segments, the student chose to cancel the play. The play has also been challenged in other states.

Source: NCAC: from an article in "Artistic Freedom Under Attack," Volume 3, 1995, provided by People For the American Way, playwright's personal website