The Black Rose Fund

Dear Friends of MDI Drama,

I am writing to ask for your help with our MDIHS theater renovation. The Higgins-Demas Theater has provided many kids from MDI and surrounding communities with an opportunity to perform and shine on stage. We are trying to bring the theater to a state of the art facility. In celebration of the life of Ashleigh M. Littlefield who performed on stage with Libitzki School of Dance in the 90’s, Acadia Community Theater in the late 90’s and until 2004, and with MDI Drama from 2005-2009. I have created the Black Rose Fund to financially support numerous renovations for the theater. Ashleigh passed away in 2010 and with donations made to date in celebration of her contributions to the MDI Drama program we are on our way to meeting our goal for the modernization, functional and safety enhancements for the theater. Maybe over the years someone you care for may have performed on the stage, the theater program may have provided you with an opportunity to shine. Maybe you sat in the seats and laughed or cried along with a production of theater or dance. I know first hand what a difference a program like this can mean to a young person or even an adult. I also know that with the financial stresses of the world, having a little extra money to donate may be hard.

As I look over the past several years, and I am grateful for the support of my friends and community. I’m hoping that some additional support to fund these important enhancements to the theater upgrade may find their way to the High School.Won’t you consider making a donation to the Black Rose Fund? Make it in celebration of Ashleigh’s life, or maybe for someone you cared about who was on the stage. Maybe you have a young drama ‘queen’ or 'king' in your life that may grace the stage at MDIHS in the years ahead. Checks can be made payable to MDIHS and mailed to:

Mount Desert Island High School

ATTN: Wendy Littlefield

P.O. Box 180

Mount Desert, ME 04660

I am personally overseeing the funds for the project and will be sure they will be used to support the theater renovation project that is in the final planning stages. If you would like additional information please don’t hesitate to contact me at wlittlefield@mdirss.org or 288-5011 x 3352.

Thank you for your support,

Wendy Haynes Littlefield

The Black Rose Theater Renovation Project

Ashleigh as Linda MacArthur in MDI Drama's 2009 Spring Play production of Talk Radio. Ashleigh received the Best Actress Bravo Award for her performance, her last of numerous appearances on the Higgins-Demas stage. Photo: Chris Dougherty