#54 - Jennica McCleary: Disney's Own Winnie Sanderson

“For years I was referring to myself as a Swiss Army Knife of
talent,” says Jennica McCleary. Artists often say, “and then one
thing led to another,” but what does that mean? Jennica McCleary is
a Bette Midler impersonator based in Orland, Florida. Her
incredible story of how she became Walt Disney World’s go-to
Winnifred Sanderson is an inspirational one for the ages. Also
getting the blessing from the bombastic, austentatious, and Divine
Miss M ain’t so bad either.  “Honey, if you sing -- you’ll
make money. Good luck,” says Midler to McCleary.  McCleary is
an actress, burlesque performer, producer, and Bette Midler
impersonator who also happened to survive Breast Cancer. A hard
worker, McCleary found herself more upset at having to cancel or
reschedule gigs in order to get treatment. What are the lessons in
this? How does this help an artist take time for themselves and
discover what’s important? What are the expectations we put on
ourselves?  Her Winnie Sanderson is the gift that keeps on
giving -- and it’s all because McCleary showed up to an audition
she knew she was perfect for. In this episode, we hear an UNHEARD
story of how the casting process with Disney works. We also unpack
the importance of being specific with one’s career, even with
choosing which auditions to attend. Plus, we dish on rumors
regarding Hocus Pocus 2! “Being a mimic is hard,” says McCleary.
“There’s expectations that people have. There’s expectations that
people have with Winifred. And you’ve got to find the way to make
who you are as a performer work in that while still giving them
those nuances that they want.” That’s not it -- McCleary is
bringing her show Winnie’s Rock Cauldron Cabaret to The Green Room
42 in NYC for an incredible and highly anticipated Halloween
celebration on October 31st at 7pm and 9:30pm. This performance is
going to be epic, so make sure you buy tickets at
https://thegreenroom42.venuetix.com/show/details/NZG2rfezEBrSrVmMKxTm/1635721200000
A classically trained Singer/Dancer/Actor who also dabbles in
Burlesque, Wig Design, and Choreography, Jennica McCleary is best
known for her work as a Bette Midler Tribute artist. In addition to
her self-produced shows Divine Deception and Winnie’s Rock Cauldron
Cabaret, Jennica originated Winifred Sanderson at Disney’s Magic
Kingdom production ‘Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular’
2015. Her Regional Theatre credits include Fun Home, Jekyll
& Hyde, Sweeney Todd, and Cabaret. Jennica has also worked with
Legends in Concert and Pattycake Productions, and been seen on The
Freeform Network, MTV, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and
Comedy Central’s Upright Citizen’s Brigade.  Bette Midler
Tribute Artist, Jennica McCleary, originated Winifred Sanderson at
Disney’s Magic Kingdom production ‘Hocus Pocus Villain
Spelltacular’ 2015 (a now viral video) in Orlando, FL. She has
worked with Legends in Concert and Pattycake Productions and has
been featured MTV, VH1, Entertainment Tonight. She was also
featured in The Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Bash on Freeform as
well as Freeform’s Halloween Road. She is thrilled to have conjured
Winnie’s Rock Cauldron Cabaret, a fan-fiction style concert, while
battling breast cancer, to celebrate everyone's inner magical
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