We were lucky to catch up with Nora Love recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nora , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

Let me set the scene for you. It’s summer 2021 and I just finished my freshman year of college at Howard University, but virtually at home from the comfort of my bedroom. I am feeling the rush of summer, trying to gain a sense of normalcy in the midst of a world pandemic and riding the high of completing my freshman year of college online whilst prepping to move to DC on campus. I am on vacation with my family as I am scrolling on facebook where I come across a casting call to be a background actor for Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever. Thinking its a scam but still having a sliver of hope, I submit and weeks later I get the offer!! Now its July/August 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia and I am going to costume fittings at Tyler Perry Studios for my character who is part of the River Tribe. This was such a surreal feeling to be part of film history. On set, surrounded with love, talent and Black excellence, I was in for a once in a lifetime experience. I am in awe, I see Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Basset, Winston Duke, Ryan Coogler and so many more idols of mine that I got the chance to share space with. I will never forget the feeling of filming the celebration of life for T’challa, which also felt like laying Chadwick to rest spiritually. To be on set with so many lives that were impacted by his kind and warming spirit was a special experience that will live with me forever. Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever was my first ever dollar earned as an actor, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Nora , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Nora Love- an internationally trained and multi hyphenated artist (actor, mover, arts administrator, teaching artist) shaped by the spirit of the South. From a very young age, I knew storytelling was always meant for me. My church instilled a love for community and fellowship through storytelling, whether it was singing in choir, performing easter speeches (offbook), praise dancing, or starring in our Black Nativity plays. I’ve always valued connecting with people through art and conversation as it came natural to me.

My dream of pursuing an acting career was born after my first theater production in my hometown at Phillis Wheatley Dwight Woods Repertory Theatre. The turning point in my journey was attending the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, an acting conservatory, which allowed me to train, evolve and create. My world opened up and before I knew it, I decided to pursue a professional acting career because of the inner voice I unleashed through performance and the invisible thread of connection with my cast mates and audiences.

Since then, I’ve earned my BFA at Howard University and have trained at the Yale School of Drama and BADA Midsummer in Oxford program. I’ve built a career in community engagement through storytelling that uplifts underrepresented voices, fosters connections and celebrates culture. My passion lies in creating soulful artist spaces that engages, entertains and educates the community while bringing more love and honesty to Black stories. Through my artistry, I’ve found a love for cultivating creative collaboration, liberty, and expression. I value inclusivity, emotional awareness and PLAY(ing)!

Through my time with Howard University and in the Regional DC theatre scene, while working on and off stage/screen, I’ve had the opportunity to act, write, direct and produce stories that build bridges through shared human connection. Over the past few years, I’ve performed in numerous productions, including the American Premiere of SLEEPOVA at Olney Theatre Center, The Colored Museum and Fat Ham at Studio Theater, Background Actor in Black Panther 2 and Rustin, Acting Senior Showcase at the Apollo Theatre, The House That Will Not Stand with Howard University, A Raisin in the Sun with The Howard Players, and a staged reading of Death and Kings Horseman, and INHERIT THE WIND with Shakespeare Theatre Company. I am passionate about creating soulful and real black characters on stage and screen that reflect the true beauty of Blackness.

I’m a self starter pursuing a multidimensional career. I’ve co produced a staged reading of new works at Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) with the goal of cultivating space for Black and queer voices to be heard. In addition, I provide administrative and managerial support in the box office and front of house at Studio Theatre, DC’s best theatre company. Currently, I devise, create and direct short classical and one act plays with STC’s Camp Shakespeare and Imagination Stage. Theatre education is crucial and important to me because it’s what gave me creative liberty as a child. I love empowering young artists to explore the transformative magic of theater, as a tool for growth, connection and self expression.

I believe that through the power of storytelling, we can spark connections that reflect, challenge and question the world around us. I thrive in creative environments that value collaboration, storytelling and thoughtful planning.

Just like bell hooks, I am ALL ABOUT LOVE. My artistry exudes heart and soul and I am proud of that. You can take the girl out the south but you can’t take the south out the girl. The southern charm runs deep and bleeds into the people, projects and places I come across. I am most proud of the joy and light that I get to share with the world through my spirit and through my work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Right now at this current stage in my creative journey, my mission is to spread love and joy however that may manifest. I want to cultivate, curate and create spaces where the transformative magic of theatre is at its core. Whether its art administration, on stage and screen, producing, event planning, theater education, etc. I want to celebrate and uplift the Culture however I can. For Us By Us.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Honestly, the best way to support artists is by creating spaces where we can truly mix, mingle, create, and share with the community. Third spaces that allow artists to intersect, collaborate, and access resources without unnecessary hoops or hurdles are essential. Multigenerational spaces with artists from diverse backgrounds are especially powerful because they create opportunities for learning, story-sharing, and mutual discovery.

Support can also come in the form of a resource library with essentials and clear pathways to grants and funding. Or simpling a creative workshops where ideas and projects are in constant flow of process. Most importantly, we need communities that feel like family, not just rooms full of people networking to climb a ladder. Spaces where we can coexist, support each other in times of need, and celebrate our wins together while creating heartfelt art and engaging in meaningful conversations.

And honestly, that means valuing artists not just for the final product, but for the process and heart they put into their work. It’s about investing in the dreamers as much as the dream itself, and making sure artistry is seen as essential, not optional. When artists feel safe, seen, and supported, the art becomes a mirror for the community. Art preserves history and now is a crucial time for artists to tell the truths of our current times so we can’t be erased or rewritten.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tymetriaslbolden.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tymetriaslbolden/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tymetrias-bolden-1a7b52248
• Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tymetriasb?_t=ZT-8yhCF9OG1pv&_r=1

Image Credits

Third I Images
Lilith Weeks
Amarey
Teresa Castracane Photography
Alexia Giselle