J. Nicole Brooks

Actor, Director, Playwright

2017 Make a Wave

Theater

J. Nicole Brooks also known as Docta Slick (she/they) is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Chicago. As a storyteller Brooks’ practice includes acting, directing, playwriting, screenwriting, movement, fashion, athletics and educational outreach for all ages. Brooks recently completed two terms as the Mellon Foundation Playwright in Residence at the Tony Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company where she is an Ensemble Member. As a Creative Producer Brooks uses civic engagement to create ensemble led art in Chicago communities. Brooks co-created Sunset 1919 an annual community ritual incorporating a land acknowledgement and grounding with collaborators from First Nations Gardens, alongside local artists offering live music, dance, visual art and spoken word to commemorate the start of the Chicago 1919 Race Riots at present day 31st Street Beach. Brooks created the 50 Wards Project a civic mosaic of short films, that aims to collect Chicago voices past and present, by producing a short film for each Chicago ward. All collaborators are paid, and films are presented to the public for free. As a playwright and librettist Brooks has written 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 served as director and associate director mounting successful theatre productions including Black Diamond, Thaddeus & Slocum A Vaudeville Adventure, Mr. Rickey Calls A Meeting, Sex With Strangers at 2nd Stage New York. Career honors include TCG Fox Foundation, 3Arts Make a Wave, 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' acting talent has been featured in theatrical productions at Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass, Court Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Theatre at Boston Court, and ITI World Congress Xiamen, China. 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. Brooks also incorporates athleticism in their practice, with hopes of becoming a stronger marathoner, and triathlete. Not for medals, but healing vibrations. @doctaslick

Profile caption: Actor headshot/publicity photo Profile image by: Joe Mazza | Brave Lux

J. Nicole Brooks's Website

Actor against a black backdrop, also dress in black leather top with large ruffled black sleeves, headband, gold bracelet.

Actor J. Nicole Brooks Joel Maisonet Photography

Featured Artworks

1919 Steppenwolf Theatre written by J. Nicole Brooks full company in motion with Jessica Dean Turner, Sheldon D. Brown, Demorris Burrows, Alexis Jean Ward, Max Thomas, and Shola Thompson Michael Brosilow

1919 Steppenwolf Theatre featuring Jessica Dean Turner and Shola Thompson Michael Brosilow

Acting company of 1919 at Steppenwolf Theatre. Michael Brosilow

Residents and city officials meet for the first time at a Cabrini Green town hall meeting.

Her Honor Jane Byrne Lookingglass Theatre. Featured actors Raymond Fox, Frank Nall, Rene Lockett, Nicole Michelle Haskins, Robert Cornelieus, Josh Odor, Emily Anderson, Christine Mary Dunford written & directed by J. Nicole Brooks Liz Lauren

Actors standing on deck under lighting effect.

Her Honor Jane Byrne written, directed and choreographed by J. Nicole Brooks Lookingglass Theatre Liz Lauren

Christine Mary Dunford as Mayor Jane Byrne. Her Honor Jane Byrne written & directed by J. Nicole Brooks Lookingglass Theatre Liz Lauren

Actor J. Nicole Brooks in A Raisin in the Sun as Mrs. Johnson. Court Theatre

Each year for the Sunset 1919 community ritual, we honor Eugene Williams and all the Black victims of the Chicago 1919 Race Riots. Carnation flowers are offered by those in attendance. The Eugene Williams Memorial Marker 31st Street Beach J. Nicole Brooks

Actor standing against Lake Michigan at 31st street beach.

Sunset 1919 film short featuring Adeoye as Eugene Williams. Written & Choreographed by J. Nicole Brooks in commemoration of the Chicago 1919 Race Riots Lorena Diaz y Wendy Mateo

Ayanna Bri Bakari reciting poetry at Sunset 1919 community ritual. 31st Street Beach, Eugene Williams memorial marker. Felix Willoughby

children and adults dancing, chalk painting concrete. 31st Street Beach

Sunset 1919: A community ritual, dance and coloring party! Felix Willoughby

Actor in colorful West African fabric red, yellow, blue, white. Also a crown of the same material.

Actors J. Nicole Brooks and Tommy Rivera Vega in Ike Holter’s Lottery Day at Goodman Theatre Liz Lauren

J. Nicole in colorful headdress with West African fabrics and cowrie shell adornment.

Actors J. Nicole Brooks and James Vincent Meredith in Lottery Day at Goodman Theatre Pat Whalen

Brooks in green nurse scrubs, in the background Deanna Dunagan the patient hospital gown and robe.

Death Tax starring Deanna Dunagan and J. Nicole Brooks Lookingglass Theatre Michael Brosilow

Actor J. Nicole Brooks in voice recording session for audio series Incoming. Marika Masburn

Production image from BLACK DIAMOND Lookingglass Theatre pictured Ericka Ratcliffe, Nancy Moricette, Alana Arenas, Penelope Walker and Freeman Coffeey Michael Brosilow

Fedra Queen of Haiti featuring Lauren Hirte, Tamberla Perry, Lisa Tejero and J. Nicole Brooks Photo from Fedra Queen of Haiti court palace. Queen Fedra in feathered blue dress.

J. Nicole Brooks as Queen Fedra and Morocco Omari as King Theseus in Fedra Queen of Haiti. Lookingglass Theatre 2009 Written by J. Nicole Brooks Michael Brosilow

Factory workers on a break. Brooks in gray shirt with blue smock.

Actors J. Nicole Brooks and Edwin Lee Gibson in Beyond Caring. Lookingglass Theatre Liz Lauren

Celebrating the Black Radical Imagination. Williamstown Festival World Premiere of BLACK MOON LILITH 2021. Featured actors Portia, Antwayn Hopper, and Sharina Martin Joseph O’Malley and R. Masseo Davis

Actor in all black, chains around wrists. Pained expression.

Sharina Martin as Bahkita in Black Moon Lilith world premiere 2021 Williamstown Theatre Fest Joseph O’Malley & R. Masseo Davis

Sharina Martin in Black Moon Lilith 2021 Williamstown Theatre Fest Joseph O’Malley & R. Masseo Davis

Bernada Teatro Vista 2023-2034 season. Directed by Wendy Mateo, choreography by J. Nicole Brooks featuring Charin Alvarez, Gabriela Diaz, Stephanie Diaz, Sonya Madrigal, Ayssette Muñoz, Alix Rhode, and Claudia Quesada Joel Maisonet Photography

The sisters from Bernada each dressed in black, while their governess Poncia fusses at them.

Bernada! Choreography and movement by J. Nicole Brooks with Stephanie Diaz, Claudia Quesada, Ayssette Muñoz, Gabriel Diaz, and Sonya Madrigal. Teatro Vista Productions Joel Maisonet Photography

Chicago Half Marathon 2025! Running practice has become a great apart of my art practice! LA Brooks

2025 Chicago Triathlon with participant J. Nicole Brooks. LA Brooks

Brooks as choreographer seated on a dance floor

Choreographer J. Nicole Brooks for Black Moon Lilith development workshop Emerson College 2024 Nico Grelli