The Paper Birds Theatre Company set to fly

Award-winning theatre company, The Paper Birds, are to give a voice to 14 to 18-year-olds as part of a ‘School of Hope’ project this summer.

‘School of Hope’ will see The Paper Birds Theatre Company work with young people throughout the county to explore the theme of empathy through creative workshops, and during the summer holidays, create an arts trail on Maldon high street.

Artistic director, Jemma McDonnel – originally from Essex and who moved back to the county in 2016 – set up the theatre company in Leeds in 2003. Since then, an increased demand for the company’s services has seen The Paper Birds relocate to Essex.

As an award-winning UK theatre company that works with up to 20,000 young people per year, both in the UK and internationally, The Paper Birds became an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation –thereby receiving regular funding from ACE to provide creative and cultural events across the county.

Jemma McDonnel, The Paper Birds artistic director, said: “We want to give a voice and an opportunity to local young people to explore the theme of empathy and create an art trail. We think this project is particularly important as the mental health and wellbeing of young people has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

To find out more visit: www.thepaperbirds.com/ theschoolofhope