Brigitta | Comedian | Voice over Artist | Actor | Drag King | Secondary High School Teacher in a mental health setting | Dance, Drag & LGBTQ+ rights | Sydney, Australia
Instagram: @brigitta_brown
1) THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS?
My Mum and her partner came to watch my first headline stand up gig. Mum is an inspiration to me when writing comedy so to have her come see me in action AND witness her laughing was the best. Last year I was lucky enough to be the full-time teacher at an SSP (school for special purposes) to a class of quirky, creative and kind senior students. These students graduated completing their final year with much more confidence, direction in their future and just overall joy. It was such a special experience to play a small part in their
Photo by: Alexandra Mantoura journey and watch them blossom.
2)THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS?
My childhood toy poodle, Bella passed away. She was the anchor in our family and saw me (my brothers and mum) through many heartaches. I was not prepared for the grief that comes when losing a pet.
3) YOUR BIGGEST WISH FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?
My biggest wish for the future is to normalise mental health and to see more queer actors be cast in queer roles.
4) YOUR BIGGEST WORRY FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?
My biggest worry for the future is that we as a society forget how to connect with one another in REAL LIFE. People don’t smile or strike up conversation as much because we are more comfortable sitting behind our screens.
5) A CONTEMPORARY WOMAN YOU CURRENTLY ADMIRE?
Clare Bowditch is an Australian singer/songwriter/ author who I have always adored. After reading her book ‘Your own kind of girl’ a memoir about her struggle with mental health and self-love I vowed to be proud of who I am and work towards a radical self-acceptance and love for myself (even if there are days that my inner voice Gertrude takes over!)
6) A ONE-SENTENCE MESSAGE TO OTHER WOMEN?
Take up space! Women, lets collectively stop subscribing to this ideal that we must shrink or make ourselves smaller in order to be beautiful. Women used to adjust their tone of voice in the 1950s and if they had naturally deep, resonant voices, they would attempt a wispy, breathy, higher voice in order to not threaten the male counterpart.It is 2021 lets all not be afraid to speak from our gut and roar (sorry that it is slightly longer than one sentence: s … )
A few more questions about the current situation (Covid-19, lockdown, black lives matter protests, politics, finances, mental health, health, and so much more):
THE WORLD HAS BEEN CHANGING DRAMATICALLY IN RECENT MONTHS, HOW ARE YOU COPING?
This past year has flipped everything that we knew on its head and then chopped it up to make a very uncomfortable smoothie. I have found dance and comedy to be an instrumental release for me. Without the hour dance classes I do 2-3 times a week I think I would be a much more agitated and stressed human. My family and friends have also kept me sane. Laughter, connection, dance and music have been my saving grace during this pandemic. WHAT ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE MOST?
Never evolving or growing as a society and the loss of a loved ones.