KSA wows audiences with The Addams Family musical
After a six-year hiatus, Kettering Science Academy, part of Brooke Weston Trust, returned to the stage with its spectacular production of The Addams Family - the school’s first full-scale musical in its newly formed Performing Arts facility.
The three-night event, held from 8th –10th December, marked a major milestone in the school’s creative journey, bringing together students, staff, and the wider community for a series of packed-out performances.
Since the appointment of Head of Performing Arts, Steven Rowbotham, in 2023, the school has revitalised its entire performing arts curriculum to ensure every student can take part. The department has grown from a non-featured subject to a core part of the curriculum, with all students now enjoying weekly standalone drama, music, and dance lessons.
Reflecting on the journey behind the production, Steven said: “It has been a privilege to watch the cast grow. Beyond developing their talent as performers, our students’ self-belief and confidence have soared. Most importantly, they have built lasting friendships and found a safe, creative space within our school,”
The production featured a cast and crew of 34 students from all year groups. Georgie, who played Wednesday Addams, amazed audiences with her rendition of the challenging solo ‘Pulled’, a moment one attendee described as a performance that “brought the house down”.
Steven continued: “Georgie hit every note in what is an incredibly demanding song and truly captured every heart in the audience. Each actor deepened their connection to their character as the show progressed, and even after seeing the production countless times, it felt brand new every night.”
Students rehearsed tirelessly from September, honing both performance and teamwork skills. Steven also paid tribute to the staff behind the show:
“Katy Macnaughton Brown’s imagination, Charmain Heath’s choreography, Kelli Morris’s musical direction, and trainee Molly Wood’s commitment took the production from good to outstanding. The ensemble became like family in every sense of the word.”
Principal Jennie Giovanelli praised the team for their achievement:
“Performing and creative arts are a critical part of how we develop our young people. The Addams Family is a powerful example of why we’ve invested heavily in this provision. Our newly formed Performing Arts faculty has already made a big impact in a short time. Last year, our students took part in the National Theatre Connections programme and performed at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate.”
With 87% of teachers nationally agreeing that performing arts develops employability skills, Kettering Science Academy’s creative focus aligns with national calls for greater support for arts education.
“As a Royal Shakespeare Company Associate School, with strong ties to Silhouette Youth Theatre in Northampton, we’re proud to offer professional opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom,” Jennie continued. “Our Addams Family cast embodied our ‘ignite brilliance’ ethos - uncovering hidden talents, building resilience, and bringing our community together through shared creativity.”
Among the captivated audience was Mayor Cllr Ben Jameson, who said:
“What a fantastic performance from Kettering Science Academy and its students. These are not easy characters to play, but the cast made them their own. Immense credit must go to the staff. Taking part in the arts isn’t just about performance, it helps you understand yourself and connect with others.”
Steven concluded:
“It was wonderful to see parents and families, many of whom had never experienced a live production before, enjoying the show. That’s what performing arts is all about - sharing joy and creativity with our whole community. Bravo to everyone involved and hats off to our talented backstage crew!”
To find out more about Performing Arts at Kettering Science Academy, please visit www.ketteringscienceacademy.org