Teacher Spotlight: Steve Shannon
Meet the heart of the drama club
William Marquardt, with Permission
Mr. Shannon
January 10, 2018
Mr. Steve Shannon has been a teacher in the Abington public school system for 30 years. He currently teaches chorus, media production, electronic music, and directs the drama program.
His love of theater sparked in 6th grade when he played his first role as a newsboy in a production of Gypsy The Musical. He officially started singing in high school. And it was during his junior year of high school that Mr. Shannon was inspired by his choral teacher to become a teacher himself.
Mr. Shannon moved out to Boston from Chicago with a few friends and decided to stick around. Before he became a teacher, he worked as a singing waiter and also performed at a theme park one summer.
The Shan Man is the Man! He is so kind and outgoing. He puts his heart into his profession and if it wasn’t for his push, I wouldn’t be in drama club.
— Shayla Young
Many students describe Mr. Shannon as very passionate about what he does. Shayla Young (2018), who is a dedicated member of drama club and performed in the fall musical Oliver! as Nancy, is also an active member of chorus. Young says, “The Shan Man is the Man! He is so kind and outgoing. He puts his heart into his profession and if it wasn’t for his push, I wouldn’t be in drama club.”
When asked what his favorite class to teach was, Mr. Shannon said it was a tough question. “They all show creativity in different ways.” An example he gave was that “media production would be for someone who would rather be behind the camera than in front of it.”
He loves directing and his favorite part in the process is usually during tech week, “when everything starts to click.” When people’s performances grow, there are developments in character, and people really understanding the meanings behind songs.
His favorite part about the school’s most recent production, Oliver!, was “watching the audience sit in this brand new beautiful space and watch this epic show we’ve created.” When asked about his least favorite part in the process of creating a show, he described himself as impatient and said he doesn’t like the tediousness of it and he “just wants to see the finished product.” His #1 concern during a show is if the students don’t feel prepared with their material. He wants to make sure they feel as prepared as possible, and when he sees something wasn’t practiced enough, that’s when he panics.
When Shannon isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his friends and his two dogs, and he also takes part in productions at the Company Theater in Norwell.
Susan Crowley • Jan 12, 2018 at 5:29 AM
This was a great article highlighting the “ starring role” played by Mr Shannon.