John Skufca

Co-Founder & Producing Artistic Director at HALFWORLD
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
New York City Metropolitan Area
Languages
  • English Full professional proficiency

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5.0

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Meredith Tomkovitch

John is amazing to work with - great communication, innovative ideas, and works hard to promote a fun work environment. The speed and accuracy which he gets shows up and running are impressive!

Sinan ULUCAY

When I think of John’s work ‘creative, efficient, & hardworking’ are the words that comes to my mind. John is a rare talent and can take on any project big or small. He follows the latest entertainment trends closely and he has vast knowledge in the industry. I had the pleasure of working with John when he was with Norwegian Cruise Line and later with 20th Century Fox World and Resorts World Genting. In very short time he took all our show concepts and outlined each step before bringing them to reality. During his time with me John directed the creative team and led all aspects of show production including: Auditions, Costume Design, Set Design, LED Animation Content, Prop Production, Music Production & Mix, Lighting, Choreography, Workshops, Contracts, Special Events, Creative Design and also helped with some of the operational directions. As a Creative Director, he understands all the moving pieces. I was particularly impressed by John’s ability to handle the toughest situations—effortlessly. He is always fair in his assessments and can cooperate with all business partners ultimately reaching the creative vision we aimed to achieve. John’s ability to juggle multiple projects was unlike any I’ve seen before and he made a dramatic difference in the productivity level of our team. I truly enjoyed working with John and appreciate his passion and professionalism. John would be an asset to any team.

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Credentials

  • Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)
    The Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC)
    Jan, 2022
    - Nov, 2024
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)®
    Project Management Institute
    Jan, 2022
    - Nov, 2024

Experience

    • United States
    • Entertainment Providers
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Co-Founder & Producing Artistic Director
      • Oct 2020 - Present

      Theatrical experiences in the spirit of adventure—communal, sensory, and often playable. Musicals, immersive audio experiences, production shows, & more!

    • BINGO Jamboree - A Musical With Balls
      • 2020 - Present

      BINGO Jamboree is the ultimate game-show-party experience: a naughty & bawdy, immersive musical where finding your inner winner is just as important as snagging the BINGO crown! It’s a crazy, one-night stand that you won’t want to forget!

    • DARK OBSCURITIES
      • 2020 - 2020

      DARK OBSCURITIES is a binaural audio experience on the banks of the Hudson. These dark, coming-of-age fairy tales will leave you questioning your inner self and what is real in the world around you. When does the story end and where does yours begin?

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 400 - 500 Employee
    • Adjunct Faculty
      • Jan 2023 - Present

      Teaching special topics in dance/theatre, including the audition experience and working in live entertainment. Teaching special topics in dance/theatre, including the audition experience and working in live entertainment.

    • United States
    • Entertainment Providers
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Creative Director / Media Producer / Creative Associate
      • Aug 2022 - Nov 2022

      • Creative directed and produced over 180 minutes of video content featuring 66 unique designs for The Panorama's theatrical music experiences playing onboard the MSC World Europa, the newest 7,000-passenger resort at sea. • Provided creative oversight on the development and installation of new entertainment onboard MSC World Europa including stage shows, immersive experiences, game programming, specialty cocktails, and light shows. • Creative directed and produced over 180 minutes of video content featuring 66 unique designs for The Panorama's theatrical music experiences playing onboard the MSC World Europa, the newest 7,000-passenger resort at sea. • Provided creative oversight on the development and installation of new entertainment onboard MSC World Europa including stage shows, immersive experiences, game programming, specialty cocktails, and light shows.

    • Malaysia
    • Hospitality
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Creative Director, Live Entertainment - Theme Park Division
      • Dec 2017 - Nov 2020

      Resorts World Genting is the premier leisure and entertainment resort in Malaysia including 7 hotels, gaming, theme parks, amusement attractions, and international shows.• Devised live entertainment with a resort-wide crossover including content creation, executive level pitches, producer duties, IP client relations, audition tours, casting, vendor contract negotiations, asset quality control, department strategy, facility build-out, production & financial management (operational and capital expenses), and operational supervision.• Headed oversight on the development of treatments, scripting, wardrobe & costume design, and fabrication for new entertainment offerings and seasonal events• Managed annual performer salary and benefit budget of RM 40mil (approx. US $10mil)• Directed 4 productions, 3 indoor mini parades, and numerous pop-up experiences• Advised on facility and AVL requirements for 7 show spaces, 5 dressing/break rooms, and 2 rehearsal studios and offices; signed-off on developer handovers once build-out completed• Developed internal database system for talent acquisition, improving data analytics and reducing talent acquisition costs by 15%• Onboarded and managed 168 team members for year-long, overseas contracts• Evaluated entertainment guest flow, pulling up to 15,000 persons daily from queues• Nurtured a new, 6-character IP for long-term strategic product placement Show less

    • Director of Live Entertainment (Acting)
      • Jan 2019 - Jan 2020

      Theme Park Division

    • Entertainment Providers
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Creative Director & Show Director
      • Nov 2017 - Jan 2019

      The world's first 20th Century Fox theme park is to feature roughly 25 thrill rides, attractions, and live entertainment based on diverse films and franchises like Blue Sky Studios' Ice Age, Rio and Epic, Robots, Life of Pi, Night at the Museum, Planet of the Apes, Alien vs. Predator, and Independence Day, as well as pay tribute to the rich history of the 20th Century Fox studios. Recruited to develop and execute 20th Century Fox World’s in-house live entertainment program; collaborating closely with 20th Century Fox Location-Based Experiences & Entertainment (LBE), Consumer Products (CP), other business stakeholders to produce shows, special events, & brand activations. • Functioned as the central filtering point for artistic input for live themed entertainment. Developed treatments, scripts, mood boards, concept art, storyboards, stage direction, facility requirements, & talent networks. Managed casting efforts, creative personnel, and production budgets. • Show Director for 3 productions; Choreographer for 2 productions • Directed a 6-week performance workshop/showcase for 20th Century Fox • Helmed music development and celebrity & sound-alike VO work • Planned, budgeted, and executed an international audition tour & campaign, with travel to 6 countries and 4 continents; auditioned over 5k performers, and came in 20% below budget • Vetted, registered, and negotiated contracts for show related creatives; optimized schedule to reduce time on the ground by 30% • Provided scopes stages and sets; collaborate with designers & project teams • Formed over 20 character behavioral SOPs for Fox’s signature walk-around characters • Produced the grand opening for the Fox World retail store launch Show less

  • Freelance Self-Employed
    • Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area
    • Freelance Theatrical Services / Creative Director
      • Jan 2011 - Jan 2018

      Researched, conceptualized, and developed innovative live entertainment productions; led pitch sessions to senior level executives Researched, conceptualized, and developed innovative live entertainment productions; led pitch sessions to senior level executives

    • United States
    • Travel Arrangements
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Resident Director, Choreographer / Install Director
      • Jan 2008 - Dec 2017

      Norwegian Creative Studios (Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises) offers an incredible lineup of award-winning entertainment including direct from Broadway hits like Kinky Boots to signature in-house productions like World Beat.Regent Seven Seas CruisesOceania CruisesNorwegian Cruise Line• Conceived, directed, and/or installed over 100 different production shows/casts, including 4 Nickelodeon IPs and shows with aerial acrobatics and automation• Created scenic, costuming, prop, lighting, & video content in association with designers• Collaborated with lead music producers on musical tracks, BGVs and dance arrangements• Mounted a minimum of 3 full-length production shows during cast change overs• Led rehearsals of up to 40 international actors per process• Evaluated hundreds of dancers, singers and actors while in rehearsals via handwritten or oral review Show less

    • Dance Captain, Company Manager (Contract)
      • 2007 - 2012

      • Fostered a team working environment on five different ships, where #1 entertainment ratings were achieved on many different occasions• Familiarized in working alongside full-bodied costumed characters• Corporate liaise and managerial roles such as show reports, safety check policy, and schedules

    • United States
    • Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Stage Director
      • May 2014 - May 2016

      Nickelodeon at Sea Install Director - Production Cast Pajama Jam Interactive Show Partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line Featuring IP characters and production cast dancers Nickelodeon at Sea Install Director - Production Cast Pajama Jam Interactive Show Partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line Featuring IP characters and production cast dancers

    • United States
    • Entertainment Providers
    • Creative Adjucator
      • Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

      Part of the distinguished panel for dance competitions in various US cities. Part of the distinguished panel for dance competitions in various US cities.

    • United States
    • Entertainment Providers
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Equity (AEA) Entertainment
      • 2011 - 2012

      "Dream Along With Mickey" "A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas" Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade with Justin Bieber Disney Channel's Shake It Up Performance AEA - Actors' Equity Association "Dream Along With Mickey" "A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas" Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade with Justin Bieber Disney Channel's Shake It Up Performance AEA - Actors' Equity Association

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Entertainment Consultant
      • 2007 - 2007

      Consultant for song and dance troupe "Acclamation" Consultant for song and dance troupe "Acclamation"

  • HGTV
    • Greater Pittsburgh Area
    • Production Assistant
      • 2005 - 2005

      Filmed episodes of “Designers’ Challenge” Filmed episodes of “Designers’ Challenge”

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