The Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment has been honoured with the Meritorious Service Medal.
Governor General David Johnston is recognizing Alex Mustakas for his committment to making performing arts affordable and accessible in Ontario.
Mustakas is the founder of Drayton Entertainment which grew to a large and respected charitable arts organization.
It offers up to 20 productions annually in 7 venues to an audience of about 250,000. That generates up to $40 million in economic benefits.
Live theatre is now flourishing in Cambridge, Drayton, Grand Bend, Penetanguishene, Waterloo and St. Jacobs.
Mustakas will receive his award at a ceremony later this year.
“I am beyond humbled to be singled out with this honour, and share this recognition with everyone involved in the success of Drayton Entertainment,” says Mustakas. “It takes an entire creative community to produce such an ambitious lineup of shows each season, including our artists, musicians, technical crew, administrative staff, volunteer Board of Directors, sponsors, donors, and front line volunteers. Each person involved with our organization plays an integral role and shares in this accomplishment.”
Drayton Entertainment’s unique theatre model amortizes pre-production and administrative costs across numerous venues. Mustakas has defied the fragility inherent in the performing arts industry and enabled live theatre to flourish across the communities of Cambridge, Drayton, Grand Bend, Penetanguishene, Waterloo and St. Jacobs.
Over the course of his career Mustakas has been recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Media & Entertainment), Theatre Ontario’s Maggie Bassett Award, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Wilfrid Laurier University, amongst others.
