Mark Craycraft

Lifestyle Director: 2022 to current – Beachwalk by Manasota Key (Englewood, Fl.) and Talon Preserve on Palmer Ranch (Nokomis, Fl). Managing, programming yearly calendars, producing events and activities for two (2) different gated communities.  These two communities are in the process of opening all the residents’ amenities.  The combined total homes for both communities will be 2,700 houses.

Creator & Director: Laughter in Paradise:  Currently on Amazon Prime.  The Laughter in Paradise television series showcases clean, professional, and mature nationally-touring stand-up comedians.  Produced at Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, the performers utilize their comedic talents to entertain baby boomers from across North America.   The launch of the television show and booking the available comedians is a collaboration with the producer,  CorpJester. This Louisville, Kentucky based company specializing in live and recorded comedy entertainment. 

Tour Creator / Director: Laughter in Paradise Tour – The tour will travel all over the state of Florida. As of April of 2023, the tour is set to begin in September 2023 and run through May of 2024. As of today, there are 46 dates on the tour schedule. Contact Mark for available comedians, tour dates and tour support elements.  Contact Craycraft today via email at mcraycraft@castlegroup.com.

• Lifestyle Director – IslandWalk at the West Villages.  Venice, Florida – 2015 to 2022.  Created, produced and managed over 4,300 activities and events each year.  Events included world class stand-up comedy performances, ticketed concerts, free concerts, dinner and shows, festivals, Arts & Crafts shows, plays, bus trips, cruises to multiple ports of call, Celebrity 5K Charity Walks, IslandWalk of Honor Veterans Brick program, Vettes for Vets brunches, Relay for Life programs benefiting the American Cancer Society, Love in a Backpack programs benefiting All Faiths Food Bank, Car Shows, Pet Parades, Pool parties, arranged food trucks, open day ceremonies with the new MLB Atlanta Braves Spring training stadium, full color 12 month events calendars, 28 page monthly newsletters, holidays parties, New Year’s Eve events, book signings, weddings, variety events, off premise events at various locations and full arts and crafts classes, tennis, bocce, pickleball, cards and fitness programs!

PROFESSIONAL  ACCOMPLISHMENTS

•Executive Director/Creator:  The Jestival Comedy Festival – 2013.  The Royal Theater, Danville, Indiana.  Jestivals are multiple day events held in cities across the country, created to offer unique opportunities for wanna-be comics and professional comedians, to raise funds for charities, and to provide programming for Xfinity’s On Demand Stand-up Comedy Series, Who’s Laughing Now?  For more details, log onto:  www.thejestival.com.

• Executive Producer: Comcast Xfinity Video on Demand Stand-Up features entitled: Who’s Laughing Now?300+ total. Georgia and Indiana (2010)  Georgia and Indiana (2011 and 2012). Indiana, Michigan and Illinois (2013).  Indiana (2014).

• Executive Producer: River Crossing Festival-5 day festival starring KC and the Sunshine Band; comedy performances with NBC’s Last Comic Standing runner-up, April Macie; Sheraton VIP reception and a classic car show.  www.rivercrossingfestival.com (2010)

• Created and directed: Video on Demand features for Comcast Cable.  Crackers Comedy Clips  (83 total) Indianapolis, Indiana. (2009)

• General Manager/Partner: Created marketing and promotional perspective. Redesigned and remodeled existing structure into a Side Splitters Comedy Club. Knoxville, Tennessee. (2008-2009)

• Consultant: Repackaged and remodeled Side Splitters Comedy Club. Tampa, Florida.(2006-2008)

• Festival Producer:  Blue Sky JAMFEST.  Louisville Music festival featuring 60+ artists on 4 stages.  Including Los Lobos, Patty Griffin, Leftover Salmon, Delbert McClinton, Richie Havens, The Derailers and more. (2005)

• Executive Producer / Creator: Rock ‘N’ Ride Music Festival at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. 170+ unsigned bands. (2004).  Mom’s Music Festival at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom increasing its 2 day attendance by 6,000 guests. The 6-day celebration of original music produced over 200+ unsigned band performances on 10 stages in two different locations (Six Flags and the Fourth Street Live entertainment district-Louisville, Kentucky). Joining the 40,000+ fans were more than 1,000 musicians.

• Independent Producer: MTV, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, PAX TV (2000-2003)

With Dick Clark Productions, Inc.:

• New Years Rockin’ Eve – 1998 •

• American Music Awards – 1997, 1998 •

• Academy of Country Music Awards – 1998 •

• Live Concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd – 12,000+ in attendance •

• Chaka Khan – 4th of July Live Concert – 25,000+ in attendance •

• Blue Sky Jamfest – 70 national recording artists on 3 different stages •

• Conquer the Mountain Golf Tournament featuring PGA and LPGA players •

• Rock & Ride Music Festival – Six Flags, over 220 artists on 10 stages. 30,000+ in attendance •

• Vinny Testeverde $1,000,000 Celebrity Golf Tournament •

• Dennis Miller: Little 500 Concert Kick-Off •

• Johnnie Walker World Cup Golf Tournament •

• NFLPA Super Bowl Players Party •

• Neville Brothers – Live Concert – 4,000 in attendance •

• Hall of Fame Golf Tournament •

• $10,000 National Singing Championships hosted by Dick Clark •

• River Crossing Music Festival featuring KC & Sunshine Band •

• LRSfest featuring national recording artists Saliva, Tantric and more •

• Stephen Wright Live at the Kentucky Center for the Arts •

• Andrew Dice Clay – Live in Tampa •

• Live Concert – Bicentennial Celebration with Trace Adkins •

• Chris Rock – 3 shows overall •

Along with many others…

Over 3,000 performances including charity events, festivals, fundraisers and live television tapings.