Paper Trails

Paper Trails is a shared exploration of grief through collected materials. In this show, audience members become performers as they read and enact texts and gestures drawn from real people's real losses. The language consists of letters written to loved ones, childhood stories, scripted dialogue, instructions, and gestures developed from these sources. Audience members will create the story and performance as they move through the materials. Paper Trails was created to ask audiences two questions: How do we grieve, remember, and let go? Will you sit with discomfort to face grief?
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Recommendations
6 reviewer would recommend!
Reactions
See It Again ♻️ 4
Mind Blown 🤯 1
2026 Nanaimo Fringe Festival
Aug. 19, 2026, 7:37 a.m.
🤯
Mind Blown

It was such an intimate experience, listening to these stories and even seeing people getting very into it and even at the verge of tears. Anyone can resonate and feel seen with the stories since grief is something everyone inevitably encounters, in many ways, and this show definitely demonstrates various kinds of grief.

2026 Nanaimo Fringe Festival
Aug. 14, 2026, 11:09 p.m.

A perfect Fringe show!

C G
2026 Nanaimo Fringe Festival
Aug. 10, 2026, 10:39 p.m.
♻️
See It Again

I have never experienced a show like Paper Trails. What an amazing show that lets you appreciate our shared humanity regardless of who we individually are! How can a series of letters, randomly read by various audience members evoke so many thoughts and emotions, making you laugh and cry at the same time? No fancy gimmicks, no complicated language, the simplicity makes it more earnest, and the audience participation adds more dimension and meaning that will make it a fresh show each time. The writing is excellent and the cast helps take you through these mini journeys of shared discovery. Before you know it, you will feel a catharsis you didn’t think you needed and while grief is always difficult and may make you feel vulnerable, you will feel safe and feel lighter at the end.

2026 Nanaimo Fringe Festival
Aug. 10, 2026, 2:07 a.m.
♻️
See It Again

Whether you choose to participate as an observer or a performer, I highly recommend going! The letters feel honest and personal, and I love that each participant brings their own voice to the stories. A memorable shared experience - don’t miss out!

2026 Nanaimo Fringe Festival
Aug. 10, 2026, 1:29 a.m.
♻️
See It Again

An AMAZING emotional and healing piece about grief (in all its various forms). I participated in it and it was so healing to be with the actors onstage exploring things I haven’t let go of yet/grief I haven’t brought forward till l got on that stage. A VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT AND MOVING SHOW 🙌

2026 Nanaimo Fringe Festival
Aug. 9, 2026, 11:46 p.m.
♻️
See It Again

A great show where each story unfolds as you learn more and enjoy the magic along the way. Creative, engaging, and highly recommended!