Alex Mustakas | How This Entrepreneur Became one of Canada’s Greatest Arts Success Stories

AQ's Blog & Grill

Alex Mustakas, Chief Entertainment Officer of Drayton Entertainment, joins us to discuss arts, business and the glorious combination of the two. Alex shares the inspiring story behind Drayton Entertainment and how he used both his creative side and business mind to become an entrepreneurial success in arts. Twenty-five years ago, a small community raised funds to save its old opera house from a wrecking ball. Now that venue stands as one of seven theatres under the Drayton Entertainment umbrella, with over 800 performances across southwestern Ontario. Alex proudly states that Drayton Entertainment is one of the top employers of professional artists in Canada, and with professional relationships to Broadway in New York, the success is sure to grow. Alex and Alan discuss the changing demographics and shifting buying patterns of the theatre audience, and how Drayton is working to adapt and sustain its success. They discuss the secret sauce in the Drayton Entertainment success story and contemplate whether that success could have been reached if the company had begun in a large city instead of the small, middle-of-nowhere town of Drayton, Ontario. About Our Guest Alex Mustakas is the Artistic Director and CEO of Drayton Entertainment. Under Alex’ tenure, the company has successfully evolved to include seven venues across southwestern Ontario. Alex has a Business degree in Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters degree in Arts Administration at City University in London, England. Alex is highly accomplished, winning Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2013 and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.