All-Festival Cast
Ruby DeMuro
Fenris Dubé
Special Commendations
Outstanding Ensemble
Graham Carter, Ruby DeMuro, Fenris Dubé, Liana Johnson, Fiona Lantheaume, Kevin McDonough, Nayeli Monahan, Frances Stockman & Jorge Waldrop
Outstanding Hair Design
Brie Chaples, Delilah Damon Dong, Grace Rabasca & Angela Zhang
Outstanding Lighting Design
Braelynn Bird
MDI Drama Announces Regional Festival Honors, Black Rose Performance, and State Finals Appearance for Queens by Kristen Doherty
Mount Desert Island, ME — MDI Drama is delighted to announce that its 2026 production of Kristen Doherty's Queens, a powerful and imaginative retelling of the stories of Henry VIII’s six wives, is the Downeast Regional Class B Champion.
The final local opportunity to see Queens is at the annual Black Rose Performance on Wednesday, March 18th at 7:00 PM, held at the Higgins-Demas Theater. Admission is by donation, and cast and crew will greet the public after the performance for the concessions and baked goods sale.
The company will then perform Queens in competition at the Class B State Finals of the Maine Drama Festival on Friday, March 20th at 8:30 PM at Stearns High School in Millinocket.
Directed by Casey Rush, Queens blends historical fact, dark humor, and contemporary voice to explore the perspectives of the women who survived—or didn’t survive—their marriage to Henry VIII. In a compelling mix of past and present, the queens confront their stories, challenge the narratives that defined them, and reclaim their places in history. The play features dynamic ensemble work, stylized theatricality, and thought-provoking themes of identity, power, and how history often (mis)remembers women.
The production showcases strong technical artistry led by Grey Burkart (Technical Director for Lighting and Sound), Carlene Hirsch (Technical Director for Scenic Design), Flannery Dillon (Technical Director for Costuming), and Moxie McBreairty (Directing Intern), as well as key contributions from alumni, parents and friends of the program.
MDI Drama's 2026 production of Queens earned the Downeast Regional Class B Championship on March 7th at Ellsworth High School. Judges recognized the company with multiple honors, including All-Festival Cast awards for Ruby DeMuro and Fenris Dubé and a special commendation for Outstanding Ensemble, awarded to Graham Carter, Ruby DeMuro, Fenris Dubé, Liana Johnson, Fiona Lantheaume, Kevin McDonough, Nayeli Monahan, Frances Stockman, and Jorge Waldrop. Additional technical commendations included Outstanding Hair Design for Brie Chaples, Delilah Damon Dong, Grace Rabasca, and Angela Zhang, as well as Outstanding Lighting Design for Braelynn Bird.
MDI Drama invites the community to join them for an evening that celebrates student talent, theatrical storytelling, and the collaborative spirit of the performing arts. Your attendance and support help sustain the future of the Higgins-Demas Theater through your donations to the Black Rose Fund.
Click HERE to complete the form
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Tech sessions will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00-7:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00-12:00 noon.
The initial tech meeting is scheduled for:
Tuesday, December 9th from 3:00-7:00 PM
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Auditions are scheduled for:
Monday, December 8th (whole group) 3:00 to 6:00 PM
AND
Wednesday, December 10th (individual) 3:00 to 6:00 PM (by appointment - 15 minutes each approx)
You must attend both sessions to be considered for a role.
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Auditionees should prepare a 60-90 second monologue from Queens to perform at the Wednesday individual audition. It does not have to be memorized, but that is a real bonus as it demonstrates your commitment to the production. You will have an opportunity to perform this monologue twice: once as you prepared it, and then a second time incorporating direction from Mr. Rush.
You will also be asked to perform a cold read during the tryout session.
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Rehearsals will on be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00-6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00-12:00 noon. Some Monday sessions and Hell Week rehearsals will run until 8PM (bring dinner on those nights). You can view the MDI Drama Calendar HERE.
