A play involving homosexual themes and expletive language will go on in a modified form, after negotiations settled concerns between students and the administration of Ames High School.

“Pillow Talk,” a play written by Peter Tolan, was selected as a one-act play directed by Ames High senior William Woods, 17. It will be performed along with several other one-act plays.

The play revolves around a field trip two heterosexual male characters go on that results in the two having to share one bed. While laying in the bed, the two characters discuss homosexuality, before hugging and going to sleep.

Carol Kenealy, spokeswoman for the Ames Community School District, said the play will be allowed to take place May 11, 13 and 14, with the questionable language excised from the performance. However, she said any scenes involving homosexual themes were not modified.

“The play will go on. The students acted very responsibly and worked well under the guidance of the administration to change the language of the play for family audiences,” Kenealy said.

The negotiations took place after the play was temporarily put on hold due to concerns raised by the school’s administration over the content of the play.

Kenealy said the changes to the language of the play were allowed after permission was granted by the play’s publisher.

Ames High student David Prater, 17, who acts in the play alongside fellow Ames High students Evan Hudson, 15, and Woods, would only say the relationship between the administration and the students involved with the play is a positive one, and referred all other questions to Ames High Principal Michael McGrory.

“The administration asked that both the directors and the actors involved refer all reporter’s questions to Michael McGrory,” Prater said.

Prater said he wouldn’t say the administration’s request was connected to whether the play would be allowed to go on.

McGrory could not be reached for comment.

Ray Richardson, superintendent of the Ames Community School District, said the decision to allow the play to go on without the expletive language was made about a week ago.

“The reality of the point I tried to make is that sometimes we can’t say things the way we want to. We said that you can convey what you want to convey without being crude,” Richardson said. “It’s been a good learning process for the students. The negotiations went well. My goal is that people come out to see it and that folks have a good time.”