Alumni Spotlight: Bridget Macdonell ’14
From Celtic to Cowboy Country: Building a Career in Live Entertainment
From the halls of Providence Catholic to the heart of Texas, Bridget Macdonell ’14 has turned her passion for music, sports and community involvement into an exciting career in the entertainment industry. Today, Bridget serves as the Entertainment Coordinator for Rodeo Austin, where she helps bring more than 80 live performances to life each year while supporting an organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Texas children.
Rodeo Austin is a nonprofit organization that raises millions of dollars to support Texas youth through events, entertainment and community involvement. Its signature event, held each March, brings together professional rodeo competitions, concerts, carnival attractions and livestock shows. Behind the scenes, Bridget plays an important role in making the entertainment experience unforgettable.
As Entertainment Coordinator, Bridget is responsible for booking, contracting, managing and overseeing musical performers for Rodeo Austin’s Outdoor Stage and 100X Dance Hall. She also works alongside the organization’s senior manager on entertainment for the Rodeo Austin Gala and Rodeo Arena Main Stage.
With more than 80 performances during the annual Fair & Rodeo, her role requires creativity, organization and a love for live entertainment. The upcoming 2027 Rodeo Austin will mark her fifth year with the organization.
“I am extremely honored to be a part of Rodeo Austin, and have gotten to learn and experience so many new things throughout my time here!” Bridget shared.
After graduating from Providence Catholic in 2014, Bridget attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where she earned her degree in Communication Studies in December 2018.
During college, she gained valuable experience serving as a team manager for the university’s club hockey team while also working in the restaurant and retail industries. A summer internship with the Chicago Steel, a United States Hockey League team, in 2017 helped solidify her career aspirations.
“After completing my internship and some other volunteer work with the USHL, I knew I wanted to make a career out of working in live events,” she recalled.
Her professional journey took her through several areas of the sports and entertainment industry. She began in ticket sales for Rutgers University Athletics before joining Positive Impact Sports+Entertainment in New Jersey, where she helped organize event activations and managed teams of brand ambassadors.
She later served as Office Manager for The Dance Connection, a children’s dance studio in New Jersey, where she gained additional experience in marketing, social media, communications and operations.
In 2022, Bridget relocated to Austin, Texas, joining several members of her immediate family who had already made the move. When she discovered the Entertainment Coordinator position at Rodeo Austin, she immediately recognized an opportunity to combine her professional experience with her personal passions.
For Bridget, a career in sports and entertainment felt like a natural fit. Growing up with a father who worked in the sports industry, she was introduced to the excitement of live events at an early age. Her love of music only strengthened that interest.
“As a child, my interest in live music was never a secret,” she shared. “So when I became old enough to realize that I could actually be a part of that world through a career, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”
But there was another important piece of her career aspirations: the opportunity to give back.
While attending Providence Catholic, Bridget participated in service opportunities through Augustinian Youth Ministry (AYM) and volunteered with the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association. Those experiences helped reinforce the importance of service and community involvement, values that remain meaningful to her today.
“When I found this job at Rodeo Austin that helps combine all of my interests, I knew this was the perfect place for me!”
Although Bridget has helped coordinate countless performances and entertainment experiences, some of her proudest moments have come from creating opportunities for young artists.
Each year, she reserves several performance slots on Rodeo Austin’s Outdoor Stage during Spring Break specifically for younger performers. Over the past four years, those opportunities have featured teenage bands, ballet folklórico dance groups, aspiring young country musicians and even a children’s and teens’ Irish step dancing group that performed on St. Patrick’s Day.
For Bridget, providing a stage for young talent is about much more than entertainment.
“This is an opportunity for kids and teens to have an experience they might not be able to elsewhere to share their art and talent with a large number of people,” she explained.
She especially enjoys seeing young audience members connect with performers their own age.
“Since we have so many young attendees, especially during Spring Break, it is fun for kids to see other kids pursuing their passions.”
It’s a meaningful way to bring together the things Bridget values most: music, entertainment, youth development and giving back to the community.
Even though her career has taken her from Illinois to Ohio, New Jersey and now Texas, Bridget still values her connection to the Providence Catholic community.
She hopes to connect with fellow Providence graduates who have also made their way to the Austin area.
“If there are any other Providence grads in the Austin area, please feel free to connect with me! I would love to find some fellow Celtics here in Texas,” she shared.
She also welcomes anyone interested in learning more about Rodeo Austin, including opportunities for volunteering and sponsorships, to reach out.
From her early experiences in service and athletics at Providence to helping create unforgettable experiences for thousands of people in Texas, Bridget’s journey is a wonderful example of how following your passions can lead to a career that makes a difference.
Providence Catholic congratulates Bridget on her continued success and celebrates the ways she is making her mark in the entertainment industry while carrying forward the spirit of service that is central to the Celtic community. Once a Celtic, Always a Celtic!
