The School Committee voted unanimously June 11 to name the Marblehead High School auditorium in honor of Greg Dana, the retired math teacher and theater technical director.
A plaque recognizing Dana’s service to the schools’ performing arts programs will be installed soon.
“It’s hard to remember a time when Marblehead High School theater has not been a part of my life. I owe it to many wonderful memories over 60 years, beginning when I was in ninth grade,” Dana told the Current. “When I returned after college to teach in Marblehead, I worked for about 52 years as a technical director for the HS theater and the PAC. It is truly an honor to have the theater named for me.”
Dana’s connection to Marblehead High School theater dates to 1965, when, as a shy freshman, he was persuaded to audition for “Little Mary Sunshine.” He landed the role of a forest ranger — and never really left.
Aside from college and a two-year stint in the military, Dana remained a fixture in Marblehead theater for more than six decades, working with thousands of students as the program’s longtime technical director. He oversaw lighting, sound and backstage operations and was often spotted after hours repairing seats in the Performing Arts Center at Veterans Middle School.
Last fall, at age 75, he quietly took his final bow.
“I really enjoyed what I did,” Dana said during an interview in his Marblehead living room. “It was always about the kids. I love their enthusiasm and their honesty. It’s so fun to watch them grow up.”
MHS English teacher and drama director Ashley Skeffington led the effort to have the auditorium named for Dana.
“For more than 50 years, Greg Dana has been a cornerstone of Marblehead performing arts, inspiring generations of student artists and leaving a lasting impact on our community. His unwavering dedication has shaped generations of student artists, and this recognition is a fitting tribute to a legacy that has touched so many. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from the School Committee, the superintendent, and the broader Marblehead community as we work together to honor a truly extraordinary man.”
Dana’s influence reached well beyond Marblehead, touching students who went on to careers both on stage and behind the scenes. Among them is movie star and writer Rob Delaney, MHS Class of 1995.
“Mr. Dana was an indispensable part of all the shows I did at MHS and was always a pleasure to work with,” Delaney told the Current. “He knew the facility inside and out and made sure all technical aspects of the shows were top notch. God knows how many kids he turned into capable, proficient backstage crew members. On top of all that, he’s a great guy and cares deeply about the school and his students.”
Another former student, Tyson Miller, Class of 2012, is now an entertainment lighting designer and technician based in Egypt.
“There are many generations of MHS students that have learned and trained under Greg,” Miller said. “A lot of the students that go through the theater don’t go into the entertainment industry, but the skills he teaches apply to a variety of contexts. He gives students a place to learn how to think creatively, work with their hands and collaborate in a physical environment outside the classroom.”
Lucas Rosen, who graduated from MHS this month, began working with Dana as a freshman.
“He was a great mentor and friend,” Rosen said. “He taught me everything I know about lighting. He has so much knowledge about how the theater works. That’s what we’re truly going to miss.”
Rosen said Dana helped shape his future. He plans to pursue theater and lighting in college.
“And I’m going to take a page out of Mr. Dana’s book,” he said. “I want to be a math teacher and theater technical director.”
Beyond theater, Dana spent decades in the classroom as a popular math teacher. He advised the yearbook for 35 years and created the senior slide show from 1984 to 2011.
Dana said he’s enjoying spending more time with his wife of 41 years, Anita. He has also developed a passion for gardening, sometimes spending 10 to 12 hours a day tending to his plants.
Asked what he’ll miss most about his theater days, Dana didn’t hesitate.
“The kids,” he said. “I have a lot of wonderful memories.”
As for the MHS theater, Dana said, “My hope is that it will continue to be a place where students’ creative talents can flourish for years to come.”
