We were lucky to catch up with Kadijah Wingo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kadijah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Being a multifaceted artist I find lessons in the smallest of interactions most times. Talking to someone new, going to an exhibit, or exploring nature. There are things to be learned all around, if you’re open and willing to listen.

For instance, my recent exploration of improv comedy I thought it would be second nature since I’m a trained actor. However, the spontaneity and full commitment required for whatever ridiculousness improv comedy needs was not easy to come to me. I realized that the action of being fully committed to a new idea, even when you don’t fully understand it was very child-like. So I took a lot of lessons from how kids play/interact. Not judging myself or the people I’m playing with. Being willing to explore someone else’s mind with them by going head first into a scenario was both scary and very fun.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Kadijah Wingo friends call me Kwingo. I’m a performing artist from Cleveland. I started my journey at Cleveland School of the Arts, learning the craft of acting & playwriting under Dr. Scott G. Miller. Being blessed with this experience of true self expression with a loving community it felt like where I was always meant to be. I intently chose to continue my learning of the theatre arts at Ohio University. There I was introduced to standup comedy through Blue Pencil Comedy. Alongside performing I’ve always had a passion for art incubation. I think fostering new ideas with my fellow art pals makes me feel like I have purpose past the fleeting moments of presenting a character on stage. With the help and shared love of art my besties and I created an artist collective called Inside The Couch. Through Inside the Couch we strive to uplift and educate fellow artists on their endeavors. Currently being based in Cleveland I frequent the local theatre and stand up scene. I’ve been featured at Imposters Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Convergence-Continuum, Snowflake Comedy Club, Fridaze/Sundaze @Dunlaps & Theee Circus Productions. Throughout all of the shows I still am a writer at heart. I’ve currently been working on strengthening my sketch comedy writing so I’ve engaged in a lot of improv comedy shows and classes. I hope to elevate my sketches to a refined level reaching the likes of In Living Color, Black Lady Sketch Show or Key & Peele. To sum it up I’m Kwingo, actor by trade and comic by nature always in loving pursuit for new opportunities to grow.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Since middle school I would always imagine myself as this actress that changes the fabric of acting itself. Never thinking of any alternative career or plan then just being an actor for the stage/ screen like Raven-Symoné. It dawned on me halfway through college that I’m good at more than just performing. This thought came partially because the way the acting program was structured you didn’t have many opportunities to perform on stage in the beginning. I’d find myself working backstage and writing incessantly in my notes app. During these big shows where my peers would be having the time of their lives on stage I’d be writing show ideas, sketches, plays, jokes & whatever else sparked my interest. So much so that I’d feel more fulfilled with exploring these ideas instead of my obsession with being the lead on the next show. When I realized the validation and fulfillment I found in my writing I began reimagining my life in art. Now I don’t think it’s too late or far-fetch to claim I could potentially change the fabric of acting but I realize that getting there may consist of more paths than being just an actor.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal has always been to uplift others through art. Whenever I write Or perform I wish to give a voice to those who have had that taken or distorted. The mission for the culture of comedy is to create a fun safe space where you really can talk about anything and explore consciousness through laughter I wish for comedic spaces to be a space of alleviation not a source of ridicule, shaming and othering. I hope to change the hearts and minds of society by raising conscious thought to grow stronger as a community & get the healing we deserve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/kwingo
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/freekwingo?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadijah.wingo?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Ali Novak Photography Dj Brown Johnson