The Body of Work
More than fifty productions across Chicago's stages — original revues, beloved musicals, and new work. Each one built for the audience.
Now Playing & Recent
A celebration of three legendary voices — Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, and Patti LaBelle. The 2025 production earned Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for both Production – Revue and Director – Revue.
The hit revue honoring the men who defined soul, originally staged as One Hundred Ways — a Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for Director – Revue in both 2015 and 2026, a National Black Theater Festival selection, revived June 20 – August 2, 2026. "Marvelous and musical." — Chicago Theatre Review
Full Production Page
A journey through funk music that critics called a sensational dance-a-thon. Winner of the 2019 Joseph Jefferson Award for Production – Revue, an African American Arts Award, and a Black Theatre Alliance Award — with a Jeff win for its costume design, too.
Signature Revues
A powerhouse celebration of the women who shaped soul music, with a tribute to Aretha Franklin — a 2019 Jeff nominee for Production – Revue at Black Ensemble, then remounted at Chicago's Mercury Theater in 2022, earning a Jeff nomination for Director.
An electric tribute to one of the most joyful catalogs in American music. February 25 – April 16, 2023.
Brooks' blues revue featuring the music of Big Mama Thornton, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan — premiered in 2022, revived in 2025, with music direction that earned a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination.
Brooks' soulful journey through the music and legacy of the legendary Josephine Baker.
A trip through the sounds of the 1980s — the 2024 production earned Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for Production – Revue, Director – Revue, and Ensemble.
An original musical, written and directed by Brooks, premiered at the Black Ensemble Theater December 2024 – January 2025.
An early directing credit at Black Ensemble — a journey through the blues, and the start of a long run of music revues to come.
A musical feast tracing soul music from its gospel roots to today — written and directed by Brooks at the Black Ensemble Theater, August – October 2023.
Book Musicals — Chicago & Beyond
The devilish baseball classic, staged in Evanston May – July 2026 — running the same summer Brooks stepped into the Artistic Director role.
Alice Walker's beloved story brought to the musical stage in Phoenix, Arizona.
The showbiz saga of dreams, fame, and family — staged in Phoenix, Arizona.
Rock 'n' roll, radio, and romance at the dawn of a new sound — a Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for Director of a Musical.
Sondheim's daring musical, staged in Evanston — a Joseph Jefferson Award nominee for Director of a Musical.
One legendary night at Sun Records, staged in Munster, Indiana.
The country-rock highway musical at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.
Teaching the Next Generation — Students & Young Audiences
The beloved story of a young speller with big dreams, staged for young audiences at the Vittum Theater.
The world premiere of Andrew Marikis' play for young audiences.
The rock 'n' roll high school classic at the Getz Theatre.
Jonathan Larson's landmark musical at the Courtyard Theatre.
Magic, war, and one extraordinary journey at the Courtyard Theatre.
Sondheim's masterwork on art and legacy at the Courtyard Theatre.
Every Job in the Building
Brooks' credits go far beyond the director's chair. He performed on the Black Ensemble stage — playing Cortez in All in Love Is Fair (2011) — served as equity stage manager for The Other Cinderella (2019), technical director for The Marvin Gaye Story (2012), and directed world premieres at the Black Playwrights Festival. His original works also include Sammy: A Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. This page grows as the full history — more than fifty productions — is documented, production by production.