Hingham Whiz Kid: Charlie Clinton

Name:    Charlie Clinton, Age 10

 School:  Derby Academy

 Key to Awesomeness: Contagious Enthusiasm

 Accomplishments:  

Charlie Clinton, a fourth grader at , brought Walter Cunningham to life for The Boston Children’s Theater production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” earlier this month. While being on the stage was really fun for Clinton, the depth of the experience was not lost on this ten-year old.

 While he loves the story, it makes him kind of sad. Mom Lindsay Clinton explained the bittersweet challenge of youngsters trying to wrap their minds around mature subject matter like racial injustice and the fact that sometimes our court system fails.

Charlie also learned to consciously separate Tim Lawton, the very nice actor from his mean stage portrayal of Bob Ewell.

 Tori Cargill, who played Scout, gave Charlie a 50th Anniversary edition of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning book signed by Mary Badham, Scout’s portrayer in the 1962 film. The BCT director and producers wrote specific notes in the book for Charlie, who also understudied Dill. That is the copy he is reading now.

 Lindsay said Charlie’s first stage performance was playing Baby Jesus at age three months. Charlie was in his school play, and will participate in Derby’s Summer Arts. Charlie is active in Hull Performing Arts, where Lindsay, a founding member, serves as Treasurer, Webmaster, and is involved with performances.

 A sports enthusiast, Charlie holds a brown belt in karate with two stripes. Having won many competitions and trophies, he is working towards a black belt and plans to teach karate in three years when he is old enough. He recently won first place in his Boy Scout troop’s Pinewood Derby.