Our History

ANR Productions was founded in 2005 by April Fresh and Roseanne DeShanaro, two former winners of a pageant called Miss Comic Strip, which was held on Florida's west coast. After that pageant ceased operations a few years later, April and Roseanne decided to create a new pageant that celebrated humor, creativity, and originality while bringing the competition to Orlando. Thus, Miss Comedy Queen was born.

The inaugural Miss Comedy Queen Pageant was held in August 2005 at the world-famous Parliament House Resort in Orlando, Florida.

After several successful years, Roseanne stepped away from drag in 2010. At that time, Miss Comedy Queen 2006, Addison Taylor, joined April Fresh in continuing and expanding the system. Together, they helped transform Miss Comedy Queen into one of the nation's largest and most respected drag pageants for comedic entertainers.

As the pageant grew in popularity, it gained national recognition and expanded through the addition of preliminary competitions held across the United States. Today, Nationals welcomes approximately 35–40 contestants each year and has evolved into a five-day event showcasing some of the funniest, most talented, and most creative entertainers from across the country.

Addison served as the organization's webmaster, office manager, and day-to-day operations coordinator, but she was much more than that. She was a mentor, friend, and beloved member of our community whose impact reached far beyond the pageant itself. Sadly, Addison passed away unexpectedly in December 2025.

In 2026, Miss Comedy Queen proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary. As we honor the legacy built by April, Roseanne, Addison, and the many individuals who have contributed to our success, April has assembled a dedicated team committed to carrying the organization forward. Together, we look toward the future while continuing the tradition of laughter, creativity, and excellence that has defined Miss Comedy Queen for more than two decades.