Biography

Nova Tate

Adjunct Lecturer of Voice, Department of Theatre Arts
Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts | Howard University

Nova Tate is an award-winning vocalist, actor, arts educator, and Adjunct Lecturer of Voice in the Department of Theatre Arts at Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. 

An accomplished professional performer known professionally as Nova Y. Payton, Tate brings decades of professional experience in musical theatre, vocal performance, concert work, and arts education into the classroom. A member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2005, she has built an extensive career on regional, national, and international stages.

Her notable theatrical credits include Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! at Olney Theatre Center, Celie in The Color Purple at Signature Theatre, Ruthie in the world premiere of Grace at Ford’s Theatre, Effie White in Dreamgirls, Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Caroline Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change, Sarah in Ragtime, Medda Larkin in Disney’s Newsies, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, and Hattie in Kiss Me, Kate, along with performances in Smokey Joe’s Café, Godspell, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, A Night with Janis Joplin, Jelly’s Last Jam, and the internationally staged 3 Mo’ Divas. Her acclaimed performance as Celie in Signature Theatre’s The Color Purple placed her at the center of the production’s cast.

As a concert artist and vocalist, Payton has performed throughout the United States and internationally, including appearances in Canada, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. Her work has included performances with renowned artists and appearances on television and concert stages. She has been featured in productions and programs including PBS’s 3 Mo’ Divas and Black Broadway: A Proud History, A Limitless Future. Her career has taken her to more than 150 cities across the United States as well as international stages.

Tate is a two-time Helen Hayes Award recipient, receiving the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2012 and Outstanding Lead Performer in 2023, and has received numerous additional Helen Hayes Award nominations throughout her career. Her honors also include a Barrymore Award nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress, an NAACP Image Award, and the BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Award for Best Performer in a Musical.

At Howard University, Tate has taught extensively throughout the Musical Theatre curriculum, including Music Theatre Techniques I, Musical Theatre Techniques III, and the Voice for Musical Theatre sequence, THMT 111–118. Her instruction emphasizes healthy and sustainable vocal technique, musicianship, interpretation, storytelling, stylistic versatility, performance preparation, and the integration of vocal technique with the physical and dramatic demands of musical theatre.

Her commitment to students and the Theatre Arts program was recognized when she received Howard University’s 2025–2026 Distinguished Adjunct Theatre Arts Award, honoring her contributions as an adjunct faculty member and educator.

Beyond Howard University, Tate currently serves as Student Activities Coordinator at Bishop McNamara High School. She previously served as Fine Arts Department Chair at Archbishop Carroll High School from 2023–2026 and as a Dance Instructor at Center City Public Charter Schools’ Brightwood Campus from 2023–2025.

Tate’s career bridges professional performance and arts education. Drawing upon her experience as Nova Y. Payton, she provides students with practical insight into the artistic discipline, vocal preparation, collaboration, professionalism, resilience, and versatility required of today’s performing artists. Her teaching encourages emerging performers to develop technically grounded, expressive, and authentic voices while preparing them to build sustainable careers in the performing arts.