In a moment that left her breathless, Cecelia Wingate, a force of Memphis theater, learned she would receive the prestigious Eugart Yerian Award for lifetime achievement at the Ostrander Awards this year. The news came unexpectedly, delivered a few weeks ago by Jeff Posson outside Theatre Memphis where Wingate was heading into a rehearsal for Silent Sky. “It knocked the wind out of me,” she said. “Everything just kind of fell to the concrete.”
But there was a rehearsal to command, so she recovered immediately and got busy on the production.
Wingate’s theatrical career, spanning over four decades, is a tapestry of unforgettable productions and bold creative choices, as both director and performer. It’s reflected in the numerous Ostrander trophies she’s collected in the last decade, mostly for direction but also for her role in Jerre Dye’s Cicada. She did that same role in Chicago in 2014, earning a nomination for a prestigious Jeff Award, and then in 2016 won a Jeff for her turn in Evan Linder’s Byhalia, Mississippi.
She fondly recalls some of the shows that have defined her legacy. Silent Sky, The Addams Family, The Producers, and 1776 stand out as directorial milestones, each marked by her meticulous attention to detail and innovation. Her reimagining of 1776 in 2018, set against the backdrop of contemporary political divides, was particularly poignant. She wove in voices from modern news pundits as well as Barack Obama, creating a soundscape that traveled backward in time. The show’s ending, with a quote from John F. Kennedy and the word “VOTE” lingering on stage, left audiences spellbound. Mostly so, anyway, but Wingate was never going to apologize to the naysayers. “It was chilling and glorious.”
As a director, she thoroughly enjoys getting into the research. For 1776, she pored over Thomas Jefferson’s meteorological records to confirm it was raining on a key date, informing sound design and stage direction. “God is in the details,” she said, a mantra echoed by her actors. She pushes performers to dig deeper, whether it’s carrying a character’s keepsake or imagining the weight of signing the Declaration of Independence.
Wingate’s impact extends beyond the stage. She has mentored a generation of directors and actors, sharing tools like her detailed production breakdown sheets. Her work at Theatre Memphis, where she’s been a fixture since 2006’s Little Shop of Horrors, is a source of pride. “I’m proud of every single thing I’ve done there,” she said, praising the theater’s volunteer-driven spirit and rock-star treatment of its community. And her collaborations with executive producer Debbie Litch, who grants her full creative trust, have been a cornerstone of her success.
You might think success comes easy for Wingate who has a commanding presence, whether performing or directing. You’d be wrong. She is, by her own admission, terrified before every project. “It happens every single time I direct a show,” she confessed. Yet, this fear fuels her drive to create immersive, impactful theater. From raising the orchestra pit in Beautiful to electrify audiences, to coaxing breakthroughs from novice actors, she thrives on the magic of discovery.
“When you see them have breakthroughs and bring it, that is rewarding as hell,” she said.
As she prepares for her next venture, directing Mamma Mia! in 2026, Wingate’s legacy is clear: a career built on passion, precision, and an unyielding commitment to storytelling. The Eugart Yerian Award is a testament to her enduring influence on Memphis theater. As she tells her actors before they take the stage, “Stand straight, breathe in, and tell yourself, ‘I am a badass.’” For Wingate, those words are more than a pep talk — they’re a way of life.
This year’s Ostranders will be on Sunday, August 24th, at the Orpheum. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale in July.
On June 5th there will be Ostranders Night featuring a preview of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Theatre Memphis. Tickets for the fundraiser are $50, which includes a reception, performance, and a chance to meet Wingate. Get tickets here.