Conversation with Nora Brooks Blakley - Icons

Nora Brooks Blakely is a storyteller – sometimes in print, most often on stage, and perhaps best at the after party of a new production.

A producer of countless plays, and a trusted advisor to generations of creatives. She has been witness to and co-conspirator in the explosion of Black Art in Chicago.

She built Chocolate Chips Theater company from the ground up, in an era where theater for young audiences was in its infancy, and theater for young Black audiences was almost non-existent. Nora is a pioneer – and we sat down with her as she “held court” on her work in our industry.