J. Nicole Brooks

(Bio as of June 2026)

J. Nicole Brooks (she/they) is multi-disciplinary artist based in Chicago. Brooks’ practice includes acting, directing, playwriting, screenwriting, movement, fashion, athletics and educational outreach. As a theatre artist Brooks is an ensemble member and Mellon Foundation Playwright in Residence at the Tony Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company. As a playwright and librettist Brooks has created original and adapted works including Black Diamond: The Years the Locusts Have Eaten, Fedra Queen of Haiti, HeLa, Black Moon Lilith, Rainbow Beach, 1919 and the award winning Her Honor Jane Byrne. Brooks has also served as director and associate director mounting successful regional theatre productions. Career honors include TCG Fox Foundation, 3Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, American 2021 Steinberg/ American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award and the Chicago Public Library Foundation 21st Century Award. Brooks has been featured in theatrical productions at Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass, Court Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Theatre at Boston Court. Television and film credits include guest and recurring roles on Chicago Fire (NBC), Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM), South Side (MAX), Power Book IV (Starz), CANDYMAN (Monkeypaw Productions), and the critically acclaimed chapter four of Fargo (FX Network) starring opposite Chris Rock. @doctaslick