Dalton High School Theatre Arts teacher Alana Sane has been inducted into the Georgia Thespians Society Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in theatre arts education in the state.
Georgia Thespians is a chapter of the Educational Theatre Association, an international organization dedicated to supporting and advancing theatre arts education. Hall of Fame inductees are selected for their lasting impact on students, programs, and the profession.
Mrs. Sane was nominated by Chris Reaves, theatre arts teacher at Cedartown High School and Hall of Famer, and Wes Phinney, Dalton High School emeritus theatre arts teacher and Hall of Fame member. She was selected by the current Georgia Thespians Chapter Directors based on their nomination.
Mrs. Saneās career reflects a remarkable record of program-building, artistic excellence, and deep commitment to students. Prior to coming to Dalton, she led a highly successful drama program at Southeast High School, guiding students to five Region One-Act Championships and earning the 2019 Georgia High School Musical Theatre Showstopper Award for āGee, Officer Krupkeā from West Side Story. In recognition of her work, she was named Southeast High School Teacher of the Year in 2020.
In 2021, Mrs. Sane joined Dalton Junior High School, where she rebuilt the drama program from the ground up. The program flourished under her leadership, sending numerous students on to Dalton High Schoolās drama program, including Hayden Poe, winner of the 2023 and 2024 Georgia High School Musical Theatre Best Actor Awards.
While leading the junior high program, Mrs. Sane also co-directed at Dalton High School, helping the program win the Region One-Act Competition in 2021 and earn more than ten recognitions in its first Shuler Awards competition in 2022. In 2023, she played a pivotal role in guiding the lead actor in Fiddler on the Roof, resulting in Dalton High Schoolās first Shuler Award win for Best Actor.
Following Mr. Phinneyās retirement at the end of the 2024 school year, Mrs. Sane was named Director of Theatre Arts at Dalton High School. In less than one year, the program reached new heights, earning a Runner-Up trophy at One-Act Competition, helping secure the Region Literary Trophy, and collecting four Shuler Awards at the 2025 Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards ā including a Best Director Award for Dalton High Schoolās production of Hadestown. During her second year at Dalton High School, she also helped the program achieve recognition as a Fox Theatre All-Access Pass School.
While her list of accolades is extensive, colleagues emphasize that Mrs. Saneās greatest legacy is her genuine care for students and her unwavering belief in their potential. As noted during the induction, awards may fade, but the impact of a teacher who truly loves and champions students lasts a lifetime.
During the induction ceremony, Mrs. Sane was joined on stage by her husband Mat, her children, Wes Phinney, and Dalton High School Principal Lee Collins as she accepted her Hall of Fame plaque and recognition. A note shared by Mr. Phinney highlighted the rarity of the honor, noting that it is uncommon for two Hall of Fame members to come from the same high school.
Dalton High School proudly congratulates Alana Sane on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates the lasting impact she continues to make through theatre arts education.