BRIAN HARLAN BROOKS

Director  |  Choreographer  |  Producer  |  DEIA Leader  |  Tony Award Nominator & Voter

Harlan4b@gmail.com  |  718.877.8598  |  www.brianhalanbrooks.com  |  Teaneck, NJ

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Broadway director, choreographer, producer, and DEIA leader with more than 30 years of experience spanning commercial theatre, concert dance, film, and arts education. A Tony Award nominator and voter with a proven record of artistic leadership, multicultural programming, institutional development, and equity-centered practice. Recurring guest lecturer at Columbia University. Trained at the Dance Theater of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Committed to building performing arts institutions that are artistically excellent, financially resilient, and genuinely accessible to the communities they serve.

CURRENT POSITIONS

Director of EDIA

July 2024 — Present

K+K Reset

New York, NY

•   Develop, manage, and lead EDIA initiatives for Broadway and touring productions

•   Provide EDIA education and training for multiple Broadway productions and company management teams

•   Support productions in managerial practices that center an EDIA lens

•   Present programming for inclusive casting policies for touring productions

•   Oversee placement of fellows in partnership with the Black Theatre Coalition

Founder & Artistic Director

2024 — Present

Continuum B

New York, NY

•   Founded and produce an original dance concert featuring 12 professional dancers

•   Built full fundraising infrastructure including donor letter, one-pager, and fiscal sponsorship

•   Mission: to establish equitable pay and labor standards for professional dancers

Recurring Guest Lecturer

2023 — Present

Columbia University

New York, NY

•   Deliver recurring masterclasses on DEIA in commercial theatre and the Director of Managing Artists methodology

•   Engage graduate students in applied leadership frameworks for the performing arts

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

2021 — Present

Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Fayetteville, NC

•   Founded the DEI department in consultation with the Artistic Director

•   Designed training curriculum for all staff and productions

•   Facilitated conversations between creative teams and casts regarding challenging material

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director

February 2026

The Girl Who Sang with the Moon — Firebrand Theatre / Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago, IL

•   Directed the staged reading of this 2026 City of Chicago DCASE New Plays & Musical Grant recipient

•   Presented at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of Chicago Theatre Week

Choreographer & Movement Director

March 2026

Chasing Grace — SheNYC Arts / ART/NY Mezzanine Theatre

New York, NY

•   Choreographed the world premiere Off-Broadway production starring Gabrielle Beckford and Harper Miles

Resident Director

January 2019 — July 2025

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations — Tony Award-winning production

National Tour / West End

•   Collaborated with director Des McAnuff to augment the Broadway production for touring

•   Staged and set all domestic and international tours across multiple casts

•   Led casting in collaboration with casting agency and creative team

•   Coached actors and maintained the original direction throughout the run

Associate Director

January 2020 — June 2024

Jesus Christ Superstar: 50th Anniversary Tour — Olivier Award-winning production

National Tour / UK

•   Maintained Timothy Sheader's original direction across domestic and UK tours

•   Staged and set all touring productions and led casting

Associate Choreographer & Consulting Director

September 2012 — June 2018

Motown the Musical — Broadway, West End, National & International Tours

New York / London

•   Collaborated directly with Berry Gordy to maintain and develop the production

•   Maintained and staged choreography across Broadway, West End, and all domestic and international tours

Director & Choreographer

2024

Jelly’s Last Jam — Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Fayetteville, NC

Director & Choreographer

2022

The Color Purple — Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Fayetteville, NC

Director

While I Have the Floor — Starring Ayodele Casel

New York, NY

Choreographer

First Noel — The Apollo Theater

New York, NY

DEIA LEADERSHIP

Director of Work Equity Action

September 2021 — May 2025

Work Light Productions

Summit, NJ

•   Consulted with founders and senior staff to create the Work Equity Action department

•   Designed online and in-person training curriculum for all management teams, staff, cast, and crew

•   Facilitated mediated solutions for multiple conflicts regarding race, identity, and harassment

•   Secured an equitable hair policy for BIPOC actors across productions

•   Maintained visitation and consulting schedule across all production tours

Expert Consultant — Arts Leadership

2025 — Present

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC

•   Engaged by the CIO and Chancellor’s office to assess the Fine Arts Building and develop the scope for a new Art Director position

•   Delivering strategic analysis, community engagement planning, and leadership development recommendations

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION CREDITS

Born For This

Associate Choreographer

One Harlem Night

Co-Director

Black Tar Beach Party feat. Nona Hendryx

Choreographer

Capital Fourth — Motown the Musical

Choreography Re-stager

The Tony Awards — Motown the Musical

Choreography Re-stager

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — Motown

Choreography Re-stager

The Color Purple — First National Tour

Dance Captain / Swing

Your Arms Too Short to Box with God

Principal Dancer

FILM & TELEVISION

In the Heights

Dancer

Across the Universe

Principal Dancer

Tormenting the Hen

Markus (Co-Star)

Boardwalk Empire

Principal Dancer (2 Episodes)

Lifted — Fox Searchlight

Principal Dancer

Jesus Christ Superstar Promo Video

Choreography Re-stager / Stage Director

CONCERT DANCE

Philadanco (Philadelphia Dance Company)

Principal Dancer

Deeply Rooted Chicago Dance Theatre

Rehearsal Director / Dancer

Donald Byrd/The Group

Rehearsal Director / Dancer

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet

Rehearsal Director (Tour)

Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance

Associate Artistic Director / Dancer

Williams/Henry Dance Theatre

Guest Dancer

Forces of Nature

Dancer

TEACHING & ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Columbia University

Recurring Guest Lecturer (2023—Present)

The Ailey School

Jazz / Contemporary Instructor

Long Island University

Adjunct Professor / Guest Choreographer

Ailey Extension

Jazz / Contemporary Instructor

Ailey Camp NYC

Modern Instructor

Ailey Camp Kansas City

Site Director (2003–2006)

Santa Fe Community College

Guest Artist

Excellence Community Schools

Teaching Artist in Residence

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Two-Year Acting Program

2006 — 2010

William Esper Studio

New York, NY

Dance Training

1985 — 1990

Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (now The Ailey School)

New York, NY

Dance Training

1985 — 1990

Dance Theater of Harlem

New York, NY

High School Diploma

1986 — 1990

Teaneck High School

Teaneck, NJ

REFERENCES

Available upon request. Professional references include Warren Adams, Krisha Marcano, Mary-Kate Burke, and Courtney King.