From Actor to Artistic Director: Nike Doukas on Leadership, Creativity & Resilience

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Nike Doukas, actor, director, teacher, accent coach, and Artistic Director of Antaeus Theatre Company in Los Angeles. A member of Antaeus for roughly 35 years, Nike shares her journey from artist to artistic leader and reflects on what theater, directing, teaching, and coaching have taught her about leadership. We explore creating spaces where people feel safe to take risks, the importance of listening and collaboration, and how to balance the needs of artists, audiences, boards, students, and the broader community. Nike also opens up about resilience in an unpredictable profession, learning to let go of what she cannot control, and how teaching shaped her approach to developing others. We close with her vision for the future of Antaeus, the enduring power of live theater, and the legacy she hopes to leave as an artist, teacher, and leader. Learn more about Antaeus Theatre Company at www.antaeus.org.  Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters 00:00 Intro to Expressions of Leadership and Nike Doukas  00:15 From Actor to Leader 04:58 Why Theater Still Matters 06:15 Creating Safe Spaces for Artists 08:34 Discovering Leadership 12:15 Becoming Artistic Director 16:28 Leading Many Voices 20:32 The Power of Saying Yes 26:07 How Listening Builds Trust 30:23 Balancing Art, Business & the Board 33:41 Building Resilience Through Rejection 38:25 What Teaching Teaches Us About Leadership 42:17 Helping Every Artist Find Their Voice 44:21 The Magic of Live Theater 47:51 Leadership, Legacy & Learning 49:44 Nike's Vision for Antaeus 50:53 Advice for Young Artists 52:34 A Dream Theater Trip