Learn about me and my experiences in the entertainment industry!
While I have an about me section here on my website, I thought I would take some time to dig a little deeper into why I love what I do. So hello!! My name is Madalyn Brouwer, but I go by Maddie! I was born and raised in a small town in central Iowa.
Anyone from Iowa knows we have a lot of corn, beans, and cows. I grew up in a farming family in a farming town, which I don’t think you would believe by looking at me. Alas, I learned a lot of skills that have translated into both my personal and professional life. Keep reading to learn about my journey in the entertainment industry.
My Journey – Adventureland Park – Altoona, IA
When I was 15 years old, my mom decided it was time for me to get a job. Because of the labor laws in Iowa, not many places hire 15-year-olds. My choices were slim. I could apply and maybe get hired at Fareway, or apply to Adventureland and almost guaranteed to be hired… I went with Adventureland and said I would be willing to work in any department. Little did I know, I would be there 7 years later.
After my interview, I was offered a job at the Front Gate, or Admissions. My mom says I cried after my first shift and said I would never go back. It’s funny to think about that now. After I had completed my first season, I told myself I wouldn’t be back and would find a different job next summer, Afterall I would be 16, and then, COVID happened. Nowhere was hiring, nowhere was open. After sitting around for what felt like months, Adventureland reached out and asked if I would like to come back. Needing money and a break from being in my house, I said yes.
Promotion
Shortly into the season, I was asked if I would like to take a team lead or assistant supervisor role, and with the promise of more hours and a raise, I said yes. A couple of weeks later, I was asked again to be a supervisor. I continued this role every summer after, as I shortly found my love for theme parks, and being a leader. I have a weird obsession with training, and making sure people understand why they are doing what they are doing.
In 2022, I was asked if I would be interested in being a Group Sales & Marketing intern. I’d be working with a different director in the park. This was such a fun year for me, as I learned so much about different departments and what other directors are doing in the background.
This past summer, 2024, I was asked to step up once again into a new role at the park, serving as the Guest Services & Admissions Senior Supervisor. In this role, I was taking escalated complaints, handling emails and refunds, and taking the lead in growing sales for our Speedy Pass programs. This past summer, thanks to efforts from my director, my co-senior supervisors, and the entirety of the front gate staff, we were able to increase the sales of this product by 400%.
The Future
For the 2025 season, even after getting internship offers from other parks, I will be coming back to my role, but have been given a new set of responsibilities. I will be in charge of the Resorts Operations Team, or ROTM. This team will be trained in almost every department in our park and will focus on efficiency. This program is new to our park, and I can’t wait to lead and develop this program!
My Journey – Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center – Cedar Falls, IA
When transferring to the University of Northern Iowa as a sophomore, I knew that I would need a job. Living on campus, I thought it would be easiest to get an on-campus job. Having lots of transferrable skills, I went to the job fair and scrolled through the campus job fair, looking for something that interested me. I applied to only two jobs, at the dining center as a greeter and to the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, or GBPAC, as a Student Event Manager. I think you know which one I wanted.
Alas, I heard back from the dining center first and started setting up my schedule with them. A week before I was set to start, I got an email asking if I would like to set up an interview. I quickly set up an interview for Wednesday the same week, and was offered the job the next day! As you can imagine, I took this job and “quit” the dining center.
This job and its duties are almost the same, just translated and adjusted to fit this venue. I found my place pretty quickly and now have my own set of duties and work within the organization.
But Why?
As I mentioned, I grew up on a farm. Never really leaving the safety of the small town comfort. Once I started working at Adventureland, I started to be fascinated by these spaces. Somehow they all feel so different. Inside the park is filled with excitement and energy. People are able to forget, for a little bit, about what is happening in the outside world. 15-year-old me would never have imagined what my first summer job would introduce me to: a passion for leadership, experiences, and operations.
Adventureland
Venues such as theme parks, are more than just rides and other attractions; they are spaces designed to bring people and families together to create lifelong memories. I have seen firsthand how employees can transform a guest’s entire day. If an employee believes in what they are selling, so will the guest. I live for the thrill of solving operational challenges, training new employees, and continuously striving for better guest experiences; it all keeps me coming back season after season. No matter what I find myself doing in the park, in which I have worked in almost every department, I am ready to make a more enjoyable experience for everyone who walks through my gate.
GBPAC
At the same time, my experience at GBPAC has reinforced my love for live entertainment and event management. I received a rush when coordinating large-scale productions – such as Mean Girls, Dear Evan Hansen, and Hadestown. But even executing smaller shows – like local music, UNI’s School of Music shows, and more – allows me to practice running the venue and capture changes to try techniques to try for smoother operations.
Both industries require adaptability, teamwork, and an understanding of providing a seamless operation to provide for our guests. For me, working in these spaces is more than just fun, they are about creating experiences, leading teams, and finding ways to make memories. This is why I continue to do what I do.
Let’s Chat!
For those who made it all the way through, I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and/or questions! Feel free to reach out via a comment or connect with me on LinkedIn (link below).