A face from iconic films like Wog Boy and the TV series Ten Pound Poms, the well-known Greek-Australian actor and director Tony Nikolakopoulos will launch his new Performing Star Academy for children aged six and up. The academy is crafted to nurture young children who harbour a deep passion for drama, creativity, and self-expression.
“Kids today are surrounded by distractions such as smartphones and gadgets, and the amount of face-to-face interaction kids have is so minimal compared to when I was growing up,” Nikolakopoulos told Neos Kosmos.
Nikolakopoulos believes drama is a powerful tool for reconnecting young people with real-life interaction. It helps them build self-confidence and express themselves, all within a fun and inclusive environment.
Co-founded with his brother Peter, who runs AllStars Academy for sports, Performing Star Academy is a new creative leg of their family venture for young people. Their program is designed for any child looking to improve communication skills or simply enjoy storytelling and playing in a group setting.
“There’s no audition process, and nothing competitive about it. It’s about showing up for an hour a week and having fun with like-minded kids,” Nikolakopoulos said.
Nikolakopoulos—a respected drama educator—has taught at Melbourne University (formerly Victorian College of the Arts) and Deakin University. The actor completed five years of college at Rusden—now known as Deakin—and six months after he graduated, he was asked back to lecture.
He said that the performing arts academy is deeply rooted in everything he has learnt over his valuable years spent in theatre, film, and television. His creative work is deeply embedded in the profound influence of his Greek heritage. The actor’s paternal side traces back to the village of Petrochori, which is located in the Peloponnese region. His maternal side is from a village called Mesopotamia in Greece.
“As a creator, what I want to leave is a mark on the idea of what a Greek person’s cultural identity is—it is far more than what is looked upon in Western society,” Nikolakopoulos said.
Nikolakopoulos underscored the importance of non-Greek writers, producers, and directors creating Greek characters with a more open and authentic perspective, steering away from the typical ethnic stereotype.
“It is always that they work at a Fish’n’Chips shop, and they yell a lot, but Greeks are passionate, emotional, successful, and very philosophical,” Nikolakopoulos said.
Tony’s projects in the pipeline include a TV series titled Call the Greek and Once in a Lifetime, a film based on a true story about a group of Greek-Australian boys who defied the odds by winning the World Cup Soccer championship in Korea.
The Performing Star Academy will kick off with a free trial class on May 24, located at Firbank Grammar School in Brighton.
Tony looks forward to welcoming and empowering children from all diverse backgrounds, whether they dream of a career as an actor or just want to grow in a joyful space where creativity is celebrated.
