This week, Walton Academy proudly welcomed Box Clever Theatre Company as they began their exciting residency on Monday 23 September. Our students have been actively engaging with the professional actors and directors as they rehearse A Christmas Carol in our very own Walton Theatre.
Engaging professional rehearsals
From the moment the company arrived, they transformed our space into a hub of creative energy, giving our students the rare opportunity to be part of a live, professional rehearsal process. Throughout the week, students from various year groups have been invited to participate in workshops designed to enhance their understanding of theatre and drama.
On Tuesday, year 11 drama students had an incredible acting and characterisation session, where they worked closely with the actors, exploring how to bring characters to life through body language, gestures, and voice. This hands-on experience allowed them to step into the shoes of a professional actor, with guidance from the Box Clever team.
Wednesday brought a new group of enthusiastic learners as year 9 students attended a drop-in session. They were immersed in the rehearsal process and gained valuable insights into how key scenes from A Christmas Carol are brought to the stage. It was a fantastic opportunity for these younger students to witness professional actors in action and see how theatre can take shape from early rehearsals.
Today, year 10 students explored dramatic devices, diving deeper into the structure of the play and understanding how certain techniques are used to create tension, mood, and emotion. It’s a hands-on, practical way for students to relate what they learn in the classroom to the real-world application in theatre.
Year 12 ‘clever pass access’
Our year 12 drama students have special ‘clever pass access,’ which allows them to drop into rehearsals at any time, giving them unique insight into the creative process and the chance to engage with the production in an informal yet enriching way.
Supporting English studies through drama
The project not only benefits our drama students but is also aimed at English students, particularly those in KS4, who study A Christmas Carol as part of their curriculum. This collaboration allows them to gain a deeper understanding of the text while observing it come to life on stage.
Looking ahead
With much more to come over the next week—including additional drop-in sessions and deeper explorations of theatrical techniques—Box Clever’s residency is proving to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our students. We are incredibly fortunate to host such an acclaimed theatre company, and this experience will leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.
We look forward to seeing what the remainder of the residency brings and can’t wait for our students to continue learning and participating in this immersive creative journey.
