Alex Mustakas
| Alex Mustakas | |
|---|---|
 Alex Mustakas (2016) | |
| Occupation | Director, Producer, Actor |
| Title | Artistic Director & CEO, Drayton Entertainment |
| Website | www.draytonentertainment.com |
Alex Mustakas is a Canadian actor and director. He is the Artistic Director & CEO of Drayton Entertainment, a not-for-profit professional theatre company based in Southwestern Ontario, since 1991.
Under Mustakas’ tenure, Drayton Entertainment has grown to include seven venues across the province: the original Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, Huron Country Playhouse and Playhouse II in Grand Bend, King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse in Waterloo, and Dunfield Theatre Cambridge in Cambridge.
Major Directing, Producing & Performing Credits
| Director: | 100+ productions with Drayton Entertainment (1991–2016) |
| World premiere of Marathon of Hope: The Musical,[1] based on the life and legacy of Terry Fox (2016) | |
| Official North American touring engagement of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2008–2009) | |
| Twist & Shout: The British Invasion (2008) and Legends (2010), The Grand, London | |
| Productions at The Piggery in North Hatley, Quebec; Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover; Stage West in Mississauga; Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton; Waterloo Region and Toronto Gilbert & Sullivan Societies; K-W Musical Productions | |
| Producer: | Tap Dogs, Just for Laughs Festival, Montreal (2010) |
| Official North American touring engagement of Camelot (2009–2010) | |
| Official North American touring engagement of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2008–2009) | |
| Performer: | Drayton Entertainment; Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg; Charlottetown Festival; Canadian Opera Company; K-W Musical Productions; Waterloo G&S Society |
| Performer Radio: | Host of CFCA (Kitchener) Showbusiness (1991–1996) |
| National CBC Broadcasts |
Training
| DLitt | Honorary Doctorate, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo |
| MA | Arts Administration, City University, London, England |
| BA | Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo |
Professional Awards & Accomplishments
| Year | Award/Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| 2013 | EY National Special CitationsSpecial Citation for Outstanding Community Partnerships, Ernst and Young LLP |
| EOY Ontario WinnersErnst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Media & Entertainment, Ernst and Young LLP | |
| Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the YearFinalist, Ernst and Young LLP | |
| 2012 | Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
| 2011 | 100 Alumni of Achievement, Wilfrid Laurier University
In recognition of the university’s centennial celebrations |
| Small Business Partnership of the Year, Globe & Mail Business for the Arts | |
| 2009 | Maggie Bassett Award, Theatre Ontario
In recognition of outstanding contribution to theatre in Ontario |
| 2008 | Most Excellent Innovation (Grand Prize) and Strategic Positioning Innovation Award
Ontario Innovation Excellence Awards In recognition of establishing a sustainable theatre model studied across Canada |
| 2007 | Legacy of Leaders Award, City of Waterloo
In recognition as one of the top 150 leaders in the city’s 150-year history |
| 2004 | Honorary Doctor of Letters, Wilfrid Laurier University |
| Man of the Year, United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo | |
| 6 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Arts
Presented to arts organizations demonstrating exceptional private sector and community support | |
| Tourism Awards
Numerous local awards from markets of Waterloo Region, Wellington County, Huron-Bruce, and Simcoe |
Background
Mustakas emigrated from Cyprus at the age of six, and as a natural performer at heart, he was drawn to the stage. After earning a business degree in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University, Mustakas was gainfully employed in business and corporate sectors. He then pursued a career as a professional performer, working with such directors as Alan Lund.
After a few years on the stage, Mustakas became interested in theatre administration and pursued a Masters Degree in Arts Administration at City University in London. While in England, Mustakas worked on a project for Gresham College where he was responsible for evaluating data concerning A Historical Examination of Industrial Support for the Arts in the United Kingdom.
Mustakas returned to Canada, and launched the Drayton Festival Theatre in 1991. Six more theatres would join the fold over the next two decades, resulting in a theatrical empire that is one of the most successful in Canada.
Personal life
He is married to actress Jackie Mustakas (née Hadley), and is the father of two children, Hadley and Lukas.
See also
References
- ↑ "Marathon of Hope: The Musical". Drayton Entertainment.
- Drayton Entertainment Official Site
- Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia - Alex Mustakas
- The Inadequate Life Podcast Alex Mustakas
- Alex Mustakas
- Alex Mustakas - Laurier Alumni
- Wilfrid Laurier University School of Business and Economics: Alex Mustakas