Nikki Dyke is the founder of the Clayton Youth Theater and moved to North Carolina from East Peoria, IL in 2005.  She holds a B.A. in English and Secondary Education from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where she sang and toured with the Augustana Choir, performing in such venues as The Lincoln Center in New York City, and Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden.  She taught English, Public Speaking, and Theater for 3 ½ years in public high schools, and spent 2 years as a theater teacher for an art and drama camp in Raleigh.  Nikki has performed in many college and community theater productions in addition to appearing on the PBS special, A Christmas Homecoming.  Favorite roles include: Mrs. Walker in Tommy, Jade in Metropolis, Mrs. Luce in Little Shop of Horrors, and Shelly in First Impressions.  In recognition for her work with CYT, Nikki was recently honored as the 2012 recipient of the Frances Finch Hobart Award for Voluntary Community Service.  Directing credits include: Hairspray, Into the Woods, Our Town, West Side Story, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, Bye Bye Birdie, Once On This Island, Pippin, and Fiddler on the Roof.