Conversations with Nora Howe Curran

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nora Howe Curran.

Hi Nora, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in California which I try to never take for granted. I grew up in Los Angeles with my parents and my three younger siblings. My parents met in college and both studied film and I knew from a very young age that I wanted to do something in that entertainment industry. I was a big musical theatre kid growing up and participated in school plays and musical theatre camp until I was in middle school. I was shy and self-conscious, so while I never got the lead roles, I thrived being a part of the group. I think that’s where my love for being a part of something that involved teamwork and collaboration began.

In 2009, life turned upside down when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the end of 6th grade. Being diagnosed with a lifelong chronic illness at such a young age definitely influenced so much of who I am today. Shortly after being diagnosed, I turned to writing as a way to express and understand all I had been feeling. Writing has and continues to be a way for me to not only escape but also process my thoughts and emotions.

Flash forward to Spring 2019 – I graduated from Cal State Northridge with a BA in Television Production and Minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. Throughout my time in college, I was fortunate enough to work as a Production Assistant and Talent Wrangler on several television shows including; America’s Next Top Model, The Academy Awards, World of Dance, and The Masked Singer. Being able to working on set while also being in school working on short films really enhanced my college experience. I got to bounce back and forth and take what I learned in school to the real world and vice versa. After graduation, I continued to work on The Masked Singer and also got the chance to work as a Script PA on the Emmy’s.

When I wasn’t on set or in classes, I volunteered with my former elementary school music teacher. She founded a Children’s Musical Theatre Company called K.A.S.T. Being able to work with her and the kids was such a full circle experience and it’s so fun to watch them grow both as performers and as people.

When the pandemic shut the world down at the beginning of 2020, I found myself and all I had been working towards on pause. Like the rest of the world, we all were left in a holding pattern waiting for answers and doing all we could to stay safe and sane in the moment.

Being type 1 diabetic, I was at a higher risk for complications so my family and I locked down and got creative. We had lots of family movie nights and I made reading a priority. I got creative in the kitchen and organized just about every cabinet and drawer in my house.

In an effort to manage my anxiety, I started therapy and began to write and share more – both on my blog and also on Instagram. I connected with other diabetics and learned that I was a lot less alone than I thought.

In the summer of 2021, I went back to work and got to be a part of the Shark Tank team for a few months. I’m currently enrolled in a screenwriting class and an ASL course. I’m still volunteering with K.A.S.T. and have also been working on a book draft.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like I mentioned before, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 11 so that was a really big adjustment growing up. I think initially it really affected my confidence. Middle school is already awkward – add insulin shots and having to carry around a juice box, real icing on top of the cake. Lol.

For those who don’t know, Type 1 Diabetes means that I’m insulin dependent and have to monitor my glucose levels and take insulin when I eat. It’s been over 12 years now so I definitely have a better handle on it and am more willing to advocate for myself when meeting my doctors, which has truly made all the difference. But it really is a rollercoaster – some days it sits on the back burner and others, it’s at the forefront and consumes my every thought.

I think the hardest part about life with diabetes is that it changes with the seasons of life. Just when you think you have it figured out, your schedule or routine changes and that can impact blood sugar control.

Being on set is definitely a challenge because I never want my diabetes to get in the way of my job but sometimes it takes priority and there’s nothing I can do about it. I am very fortunate that everyone I’ve ever worked with on set is super supportive and understanding.

I think while it has been a struggle, it’s also influenced so much of who I am and what I write and talk about. It has definitely made me more empathetic and given me lots of perspectives.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I worked in television and worked as a production assistant for about two or three years. Before the pandemic hit, I was working more consistently in the talent department which I find so fun because I love connecting with people and working with talent definitely allows for that.

When I’m not working on set, I spend my time both writing and working as a producer with K.A.S.T (Kimberly Ann Steury Theatre). Working with kids and being able to get a front row seat as they not only gain confidence on stage but in their day to day life is so rewarding.

I’ve been writing a lot of reflection pieces and poems for my blog throughout these past few years. I’ve also been trying to continue to raise awareness for Type 1 Diabetes. I caved and downloaded Tik Tok in 2020 like I’m sure many of us did and have been making videos sharing what life is like with Type 1. It’s been fun to connect with other diabetics and find those that I can relate to. Being a part of that online community has been so important especially during this time.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Ooo, this is a good one and I feel like there’s way too many to choose from. I think being there when my brothers were born is definitely up high on the list. I was nine when they were born and it was a very surreal experience to be in the hospital while they were being brought into the world. I was young so some of my memories of that day are a little fuzzy but I remember meeting them for the first time and being so excited to have two more siblings. They were so little and so cute and I really convinced myself that my parents would let my sister and I name them but alas, they did not. Lol. My brothers turn 16 this year and are now taller than me which is absolutely wild!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theonewhereshewrites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonewithtypeone/
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-518444800?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
• Other: https://www.kasttheatre.com/