Alex Mustakas awarded medal by Governor General for theatre work

The artistic director for Drayton Entertainment is celebrating not only the launch of their 2022 season and the reopening of all seven of its stages throughout Ontario but also a recent prestigious award.

The Meritorious Service Medal is given to recognize outstanding contributions in any field and is known as the cousin to the Order of Canada. Alex Mustakas now stands next to a short list of people given the medal such as Canadian astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield, Olympian Clara Hughes and politician Colette Roy Laroche.

He received the medal for his lifelong commitment to making the performing arts accessible and affordable for many people across Ontario. 

Mustakas was honoured by the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon with the Meritorious Service Medal during a ceremony May 26 at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. 

“I am beyond humbled to be singled out with this honour, and share this recognition with everyone involved in the success of Drayton Entertainment,” Mustakas said in a release.

“It’s especially meaningful to receive this medal as we launch a new season after two years of closure. It’s a reminder of the success we’ve had in the past and hopefully will continue to have in future.”

From an early age, Mustakas had a passion for the performing arts.

After receiving a business degree in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University, he began working in the theatre world and a dream quickly set about of him owning his own company.

Drayton Entertainment started with an old opera house that was pretty well abandoned in the small hamlet of Drayton. 

Noticing a barrier to access arts and theatre, especially in rural communities, Mustakas set off to create opportunities for more people while creating a unique theatre model that enables live theatre to flourish on their seven stages.

“Alex’s innovative approach to overcoming challenges and celebrating the arts is repeatedly validated,” said Patricia Ziegler-Ignor, president of Drayton Entertainment’s board of directors in the release.

“From the first-risky, but successful theatre start-up in Drayton, to the scaled-up network of seven stages across Ontario, we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments.”