About Jessica Hynes
Jess Hynes is a celebrated British actor, writer and director. You’ll have seen her and heard her in Spaced, Years and Years, Dr Who and Bridget Jones, and directed The Fight. She has won multiple awards multiple times, including British Comedy Awards, Academy Awards, and British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for W1A and There She Goes. Jess is very keen to visit schools – and has had brilliant visits with her ND patron role – and have supportive conversations with staff, governors, and of course most importantly children and young people.
Why Drama Matters
Drama matters more than ever. While drama qualifications are vital in creating a new generation of performers/writer/directors and theatre and film practitioners many teachers tell me that their classroom is the only place in school that the thoughts, feelings and stories of the children are shared and valued. In some cases the only place at all. At a time when anxiety, mental distress and isolation is at an epidemic level we must plough money and resources into drama in schools and support our drama practitioners who can validate, reassure and uplift children by facilitating their self-expression and connection with others.
Why Jess Is A Patron
I am a patron of National Drama because I am committed to supporting and encouraging drama in schools.
I’d love to talk to the current Education Secretary and the current Minister for Schools about how I believe drama in schools will help alleviate the mental health crisis we are facing. That drama can be so much more than performance skills – drama gives you the resilience, courage and strength to face anything and that’s what I want for our children.