Eagle Scout Noah Walton ’18 Builds Risers for New Swan Studio

After working behind the scenes on numerous productions, recent graduate Noah Walton ’18 stepped into the spotlight with an Eagle Scout project dedicated to Indian Springs Theater.

A Boy Scout since the sixth grade, Walton felt at home in Stagecraft class constructing props for Springs’ productions of Babes in Arms (Fall 2014), Blithe Spirit (Fall 2016), and Greater Tuna (Spring 2016). In Spring 2017, he discovered his passion for the technical side of theater as a member of the lighting crew on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

With a working knowledge of props and stage lighting, Walton advanced to the challenging role of Stage Manager for Twelve Angry Jurors later that year. “I got to spend a lot of time with the actors, and it really broadened my appreciation of the theater,” says Walton.

When it was time for Walton to complete a project for his Eagle Scout distinction, Springs’ Director of Theatre Arts Dane Peterson suggested he construct the risers for Swan Studio—a new “black box” performance space, located in Town Hall next to the John Badham Theater.

“I was excited for the project because I thought I could make Springs better for the people who made it better for me,” says Walton. ‘’Everyone is there for each other in this community.”

Walton worked with Peterson to develop a plan for building the risers and once the Eagle Scout Council approved it, began collecting donations from his extended family and friends. Walton, his father, his uncle, and several Scouting friends assembled and painted the risers in a cumulative 208 hours. The risers were then transported to their place on campus. Noah got to see the completed Swan Studio for the first time on the day he graduated from Springs.

“I do see it as leaving my legacy at Springs,” says Walton. “But I don’t really want to see it that way because that seems like way too cool for me—like something I shouldn’t get to claim. But I’m an alum now, and I was able to give something back to the school that gave me so much.”

“It speaks volumes that he really appreciate this place and what it did for him, and would want to spend his time and resources doing something to give back,” says Dane Peterson. “He’s made a huge impact. Without his contribution, we wouldn’t have the studio as it is today.”