Meet Nick Mullikin | Artistic Director and CEO at Nashville Ballet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Mullikin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success has been my failures. I have learned more about myself, what I am capable of, and what I need to work more on, from those moments. I used to think I was invincible and that nothing could slow me down. Life taught me something very different. Those experiences have made me appreciate what I have and what it takes to get back on my feet.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I aspire to make work that stylistically ranges from classical ballet to contemporary dance, and showing how those things can come together. I draw inspiration from the challenges I’ve faced, and the world around me. I hope to create stories that are honest, maybe even painful at times, but also reflect hope, fun and playful – that reflect all the different moments in life.

My newest work, premiering in May of 2025, deals with addiction, withdrawals, mental health, and the toll that takes on a person, their family and their friends. I am incredibly excited about this production, as it feels like everything I have been creating or working on has led to this piece. I know it is going to be the most challenging thing I have ever done, but I am excited for it.

The journey to this place in my life has been filled with huge wins, failures, loss, a lot of mistakes along with a lot of luck. It took me recognizing that each one of those things that were potentially negative, actually added something to my life. The scars from whatever happened to me have taught me to be resilient, the failures and losses have taught me to appreciate what I have, and the mistakes showed me that you can come back from just about anything, if you give it time. Once someone gets to know me, I think they can recognize that there is something very distinct about me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would make sure to hit Centennial Park, and the Parthenon for some history of Nashville, and to take in the scenery. We would make sure to visit the current exhibit or event at the Frist Center or a tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, maybe take in a production at TPAC or check out the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Depending on the time of year, we could get a Nashville Predators game in, and/or Tennessee Titans game.

For some local music, a night at The Listening Room is always great, and then we would go to Sid Gold’s for some fun.

The food visits would be done mostly in the east side of the river with stops at JMAS for a breakfast burrito, Margot, Noko, Pinky Ring Pizza, El Fuego, and dessert at Sip Café. If we had some extra time, we would make sure to get The Optimist and Common Ground in as well.

All my favorites!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the Nashville Ballet as a whole. The organization, Paul Vasterling (Artistic Director Emeritus) and Lisa French (former Executive Director), came into my life at a time when I was most in need, and resetting all my expectations about what my goals were.

Prior to them, was Adam Sklute, Artistic Director of Ballet West, who really took the time to answer all my questions about how to work in management and deal with so many different things.

Also, a book that has had the biggest impact on me is “The Holy Man,” by Susan Trott. It taught me that we never know what anyone is going through, and that the process is as important as the end result.

Website: https://www.nashvilleballet.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvilleballet

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mullikin/

Twitter: https://x.com/nashvilleballet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nashvilleballet

Image Credits
Images provided by Nashville Ballet / Caroline Sutton