Mikhaila Leinbach,
Age: 22
Home state: North Carolina
Interesting Facts:
She is a trained welder, carpenter, and electrician (all for the theatre)
A theatre major (in Dramaturgy, Research, and Producing Concentration)
She is trying to stay vegan, sometimes doesn’t work out if Ben & Jerry’s is around
Favorite Broadway show: The Fantasticks!
When did you start working at Disney? I started Disney in May 2007 because I loved Pluto (Mickey’s dog) as a kid, and I really wanted to work in entertainment. After 3 days of auditions and many many wigs later, I was hired to help make magic at Walt Disney World! I was only 17 years old and a rising senior in high school.
What do you do for your job there? On the record, all I’m really allowed to say is that I’m friends with Disney Characters; the Princesses and I are super tight.
Do you work in Disneyworld or Disneyland? I had a unique agreement with my high school about how long I can miss school to stay in Walt Disney World (Florida); I missed a lot of weeks of school and was in Florida all summer. I also missed the last 6 weeks of senior year to move to China to work at Hong Kong Disneyland.
What is your favorite character and why? I’d have to say Cinderella is my home girl; she has the most magical experiences with the cutest kids and Prince Charming always comes to sweep her off her feet everyday! There are few more happy moments in one’s life than to talk and play with children who have been waiting their whole lives to meet you.
What has been the craziest experience with your job? There’s not just one: I’ve been proposed to/ given a real diamond ring 9 times by tourists (sorry folks, Prince Charming is my…Prince Charming), I was sent to the Middle East on a media experience, I had escape a parade float because the technology started blitzing and almost caught on fire, and a parent literally left her children with Princess Belle as I was telling them a story—the mother left the park without her kids because she thought her kids could live in Belle’s castle.
Describe your day to day experiences at Disney: There is no standard day at Disney; it’s so big and so crazy/magical that the only thing consistent is change. However, everyday is full of hugs, kisses, and magical moments.
Who are some of your female role models? I would say the Make-A-Wish kids I work with at Disney are my best role models in how to look at life. They are terminally ill kids who come to Disney and embrace life fully; one child comes to mind strongly. When I worked in Hong Kong Disneyland, this 9 years old girl Ashley changed my outlook on life. She also had a brain tumor. Her enthusiasm for life and total appreciation of everyone and everything around her made me reconsider how one should handle life. Should I be freaking out over a B+ or grateful that I go to a great school, surrounded by friends, and am in good health. Sometimes the best role models are those who have the least amount of time to make an impact.
What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? I would love to still be working for the Walt Disney Company, hopefully abroad in China! I’ve been with Disney since I was 17 years old; it’s like my family at this point.
If there is one thing Barnard has taught you thus far in your college career, it would be: Learn what you can in a new place, but always stay true to yourself. It’s been 3 years of living in NY, but I still have my Southern accent, y’all.
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook, hands down. Love checking out fb pictures!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be? Other than always wanting to be redhead (loved Little Mermaid as a kid), I wish I wasn’t so transparent: whether it’s a boring class or so super excited or trying to keep a secret surprise party under wraps (sorry Morgan!!), I can’t do it. I just am what I feel!
What was your costume for halloween this year? This Halloween I wore a “Go Greek” sweatshirt – super creative I know. I’ve been planning the InterGreek Council “Halloween Community Block Party” event that happened this past Monday, which was trick-or-treating and activity stations for about 300 children and their parents…so many cute kids in costumes!!
Where’s Waldo? Hopefully where I wanna be – Tahiti, not taking midterms and writing dramaturgy papers
What are some other accomplishments of yours? I’ve been working with Disney since 2007 in Entertainment and was sent to Hong Kong Disneyland for over a year and now I’m in media. I’ve been a Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts Intern, W Magazine Intern, and Miss United States Earth: Water. I can almost break dance!