Today we’d like to introduce you to Makelia Wingard
Hi Makelia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a Playwright. My name is Makelia LaRee Wingard but I’m professionally known as Ms. FedUp. I started writing, directing, and producing my own Stage Plays back in 2011. I debut my first play in front of 930 people on 01/28/2012 at The Crosby Theatre in Troy AL. Since then, I have written, directed, and produced four more plays. My current play Grief Grudges and Guilt is my first play in seven years, and it has taken off since first debuting in November 2024. I use social media, News Station Interviews, and Church visits to get my name out and to get the word out about my productions. I travel to different cities and states, and I visit churches and news stations to tell people who I am and what my production is about. I’ve gotten where I am today because my belief and faith in God and my determination to be a successful playwright worldwide.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. Trying to convince strangers that my productions are worth paying to see is not easy, but I enjoy it. I truly believe that the way I confidently speak about my productions and my belief in God, this is how I’ve been able to sellout and pack out venues lately. I remember when I first started, I would have hundreds of people in the audience and then I would step into other cities and states, and I would only have 40-60 people in the building BUT now every debut on this current tour has sold out or almost sold out. In my seven-year break, I wrote out what I wanted to do different this time and I prayed harder and more frequently and I’m seeing the difference while on my current tour. Financial struggles were the biggest obstacles. My shows are 85% produced off pre-ticket sells and my personal funds from my full-time job as a Universal Banker. I haven’t made it to the point yet where I have big sponsorships from big companies that can help financially back my productions. God, me, and supporters make it happen.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I write, direct, and produce Stage Plays. I am known for Hosting and Producing. I am most proud of my current Stage Play that’s on tour, Grief Grudges and Guilt. I am God and Self-Made, no well-known celebrities being used and no big company backing me, it’s just God, me, and my cast members, and social media. I write my scripts on real and relatable subjects, and I give those local artists who are very talented an opportunity and a platform to display their talents worldwide.
How do you think about luck?
No luck. Everything that has happened on this journey, good or bad has all been God and his will. It didn’t happen when I wanted it to, but it happened in his timing and in this season of my life it is right on time.
Contact Info:
- Booking Inquiries: makelia.wingard@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fedup_show?igsh=MWRqZHJidGhlZ30OeQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makelia.wingard
Image Credits
Kalvin Griffin
Javarick Givens
George Wilson
