When Brigitte Ditmars was 7 years old, she had to make a choice: she could continue tap dancing lessons or she could enroll in acting lessons at the art studio next door. She could not do both since the class times conflicted. Of all people, her father gave her some good advice.

“You can dance as long as your legs hold up, kiddo. Maybe until you’re 30, 35 if you’re lucky. But you can act the rest of your life.”

Thus began her humble beginnings as a “theatre person.” And yes, she picked tap dancing lessons up the following year, thus marking her start as an even lower life form…a “musical theatre person.”

She left her hometown of LaGrange, KY for the fast-paced lifestyle of Dayton, OH. For 4 years, she worked and slaved and sacrificed hours of sleep and her wholesome reputation in order to become a real actress. Armed with her degree from Wright State University, she arrived in Chicago in 1998. She’s managed to get legitimate theatre credits under her belt, working with not only Handbag, but also Open Eye Productions (where she is also an ensemble member), Circle Theatre, Theatre Building Chicago, Light Opera Works, Bailiwick Repertory, Footsteps Theatre, and The Baum House.

Brigitte’s dancing legs have still held up, thanks to a combination of modern medicine, pseudo-regular exercise, a 60 pound weight loss, ace bandages, and a healthy dose of age denial. In 2004 she ventured into the choreography realm and received a Jeff Citation for her work on Pinafore! at Bailiwick. The following year, she received a Jeff Citation Nomination for her work on Camp Nimrod for Girls at Live Bait. Aside from several Handbag choreography credits, she has also choreographed dance numbers for Brown Couch Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, and Open Eye.

Thank goodness she took her father’s advice years ago. But she just can’t bring herself take his newest advice to further her career…

“You should call up Oprah and let her know you’d like to come sing and dance on her show.”

Handbag Shows
POSEIDON! An Upside-Down Musical
How “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” Happened
Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer
The Twilight Gallery
Judy’s Scary Little Christmas
Caged Dames
Go-Go Kitty, Go!