Leanette Bailey

Leanette Bailey was born in Wyoming, Michigan. The red-haired, almond-eyed actress best known for her work as a director, producer, writer, makeup artist, and recurring player with the recognized and award-nominated 'You've Got be be Kidding Me, America! (2009), and as Lead Scare-actor with The Haunt (2017). She began doing solos in her church from age 12. During high school, appeared on-stage in "Once Upon a Mattress" and "Finian's Rainbow" while studying private voice to later audition and perform in college theater and local venues. Soon enrolling at GRCC to major in performing arts, where she sang and performed as one of the prestige "Grand Rapids Troupe", a part-harmony group, that performed (and won awards) at varied area venues. From there, she elected to pursue an acting career, and got herself an agent. Landing herself a few commercial gigs including Windex Spray Cleaner and Family Recovery Center, alongside some voiceover work. Several months later, she landed her first featured stage role in 'The Hobbit' Followed by other lead and supporting stage roles. Throughout the 1990s, she dabbled in voiceover work, while pursuing her bachelors. Then took an interest in learning to sing opera, so that she could audition for the prestige Opera Grand Rapids. Then switched her college major. All while continuing private voice. But then got faced with a few setbacks. In the millennium, she'd landed an agent, and dabbled in some modeling work, alongside a few independent features, where she "discovered" her brash quirkiness, and somewhat unconventional style. Which essentially led her to auditioning, and then performing with The Detroit Metro Players, and The Detroit Metro Opera. By 2005 she appeared in some offbeat roles in West Michigan's prestigious Compass Film Academy student and graduate thesis films, like The Crying Man (2007) and The Trailer (2007). Then joined the Board of WKTV Studios as co-head of Five & Dime Productions, serving as director, producer, writer, and acting coach for the Chicago Independent Television & Media Awards - recognized sketch-comedy series, "You've Got to be Kidding Me, America!" (2009). Directing 16 episodes and co-producing 4. While also appearing as a recurring player and several guest roles for the same series, and for their sister Web-based drama and comedy series' "Summer Shores", "The Watson Chronicles", and "Blue Horizons" Later, she landed a few challenging Regional roles in the A.P. Theatrical Productions musical Nunsense II: The Second Coming (2009), where she had to learn 4 solos, and comprise a Whoopi Goldberg 'Sister Mary-Clarence' type of shtick, which earned her a prestigious Holland Sentinel & Lakeshore Performing Arts recognition, interview & press conference release, alongside an Arts nomination for outstanding comical performance in a musical. And then as Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker (2011), earning her press interviews with local FOX-17 and The Grand Rapids Press. She later auditioned for the prestigious equity Red Barn Theater. But had to withdraw due to conflicts. In 2012 she enrolled at university, to finish her long-awaited bachelors, while appearing in the stage production Wilde Tales Retold, where she was recognized by both the Grand and Shelby Awards for her lead performances. Then later appeared in The Importance of Being Earnest (2017) with the prestigious Heritage Theater, where she was recognized and nominated for a Grand Award for her supporting comical performance. Then, the ultimate challenge: Being chosen to portray a dark sinister role at The Haunt. A prestigious multi-award-winning West Michigan haunted house attraction. Something she never thought she could truly do. Until she did. Earning herself several Best Actor awards. Including promo coverage for The Grand Rapids Press, and local FOX-17. She continues performing with The Haunt, during the Halloween seasons. Having this to say, about it: Never have I met so many artistically gifted actors who truly care about their craft. And all the hardworking crew who create the Disney-like magic. As creating a haunted attraction is a learned skill, that not everyone can do. Several student projects she has appeared in, have been nominated or won several film festival awards. She has worked professionally with Edye Evans-Hyde (SAGE/AFTRA actress/singer/musical-artist-performer 'West Michigan Jazz Society', 'Recumbents of Comedy - Los Angeles', 'ArtPrize' and Festival of the Arts') Blackie Dammant (actor/comic/producer The Red Hot Chili Peppers), Brian Damson (Vegas cabaret, Broadway 'Sweeney Todd'), and attended school with noted Patrick Ziegler (SAG/AFTRA - "All My Children", "The Golden Girls", Fubble Entertainment, and Emmy & Award-winning actor/producer/writer for 'Come On Over'). And is most attributed for her lively or vibrant "animated" personality, wavy auburn locks, and 'dancing' hazel eyes.