By Norah Kelley, ’24

Staff Writer

For three years, Mr. Collin Fahey has been the technical theater and public speaking teacher at Hanover High, along with directing the HHS musicals and plays. Before Mr. Fahey was a teacher in Hanover, he taught at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. He was a part of their teaching fellow program, where he taught intro to drama and honors drama for one year. 

Born in Brockton, Mr. Fahey earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. If he couldn’t be a teacher, he said,  he would be some kind of performer or writer. “Any form of performance, really: stand up comedy; acting onstage or on camera; writing, recording and performing music,” he explained. “I’ve (also) always loved English, reading, coming up with short stories and writing poetry.”

Mr. Fahey has directed seven plays and musicals at Hanover High, but if he had to pick his favorite, he would say it was At the Bottom of Lake Missoula by Ed Monk, presented two years ago for the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG)  Festival. “It was very special, as it was my first play I directed for HHS and it was the first time HHS moved on to the semi-final round in the competition.”

Like many other things this year, the drama program has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The biggest loss for drama this year came with the cancellation of our annual fall musical,” he said. Instead, Mr. Fahey and the Drama Club have had to find creative ways to continue to spread the joy of the arts. They have, through songs and monologues presented virtually with the rest of the performing arts department in the PRISM concert and holiday showcase.

The program is also preparing for this year’s METG Festival. The annual daylong competition, which Hanover High has hosted in recent years, brings schools from around the region to compete in hopes of advancing to a state final. This year, each school’s one-act play will be filmed and submitted. The HHS Drama Club will be performing 4A.M. by Jonathan Dorf, which focuses on different students and what they do and think in the early hours of the morning. 

“Although this year has its challenges, HHS drama is up for the task and excited at the prospects!” Mr. Fahey said. “I’m incredibly proud of the work students have done thus far, and I’m extremely grateful to continue to have the opportunity to create and collaborate here at HHS!”

Mr. Fahey feels a deep connection with the students he works with.  “To all drama students, past and present,” he said. “I appreciate you all so much, don’t be a stranger!”