McLaren is now part of KCI. Visit kci.com to explore our expanded service offerings.

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Established in 1977
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A train on tracks at a station, representing the Hudson Tunnel Project's efforts to improve rail infrastructure in New York.
Project News
Manhattan Tunnel Project Enhancing Rail Capacity and Reliability
As part of the team our Marine and Construction Engineering teams are delivering...
A front facing view of NYC's Flatiron building
Project News
NYC's Flatiron Building Renovation and Construction Engineering
Our team is supporting the Flatiron Building Renovation, transforming this iconic...
Behind the Scenes With McLaren on CBS Mission Unstoppable Spotlighting Women In STEM Behind the Scenes With McLaren on CBS Mission Unstoppable Spotlighting Women In STEM on Engineering Broadway Magic​
People News
McLaren on CBS Mission Unstoppable Highlighting Women In STEM
A sneak peek behind the scenes filming special segments for the CBS show "Mission...
Side view of the National Aquarium's Harbor Wetland Exhibit
Project News
The Floating Wetland Habitat in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Officially Opens
McLaren Engineering Group played a vital role in this transformative project, applying...
Inflatable Dragon Perched on Empire State Building, promoting the start of Season 2 of HBO's House of the Dragon
Project News
Engineering Feat: Giant Inflatable Dragon Perched on Empire State Building for House of the Dragon Season 2 Premier
Our entertainment engineers helped take HBO’s House of the Dragon Season 2 premier...

Steve
Bonadonna

Entertainment Engineering Regional Practice Leader

Steve Bonadonna has spent more than 35 years working to bring high-profile productions and cultural destinations to life. As a trusted entertainment and theatrical engineering technical designer and project manager he has worked in all aspects of the entertainment industry. His work spans Broadway, theme parks, museums, concert and theatrical touring productions, special effects, corporate events, and art installations.

Contact Steve
Headshot of Steve Bonadonna, Entertainment Regional Practice Leader at McLaren, a Division of KCI

Career Highlights

Steve is privileged to lead a talented team of structural and mechanical engineers and technical designers who together serve as engineering leaders with global entertainment experience. Their work spans from concept development through detailed design including support through fabrication and installation. Services include structural and mechanical design and analysis, development of construction drawings and engineering reports, and construction and installation support.

As the primary client contact for technical and design matters, he guides teams from early ideas through execution while keeping safety, constructability, and performance front and center.

His experience includes marquee New York City projects such as structural and mechanical engineering design and support for the 2025 Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball, engineering support for “The Beam” attraction at Rockefeller Center, as well as worldwide touring and themed entertainment work involving arena and stadium staging, overhead rigging, mechanized scenic and kinetic installations, and performer flying effects for clients including Disney, Cirque du Soleil, and Live Nation.

Lead Expert

Additional Expertise

  • Automated Equipment Design
  • Theaters
  • Museums

Education + Organizations

Education

Bachelor of Arts
Theater, SUNY Geneseo

Memberships

  • TEA (Themed Entertainment Association)
  • IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions)

Speaking Engagements

Project Experience

200+ Projects, Including:

Delacorte Theater Cable Net, Lighting Poles, and Lighting Truss Renovation | New York, NY

Open-Air Venue

Steve served as Project Manager for portions of the $85 million Delacorte Theater renovation in Central Park, completed in 2025. The project modernized the venue with upgraded infrastructure, improved accessibility for audiences and performers, a new facade, new lighting towers, and enhanced water protection systems. Our firm provided structural engineering for replacement of the cable net system, lighting towers, crow’s nests with associated fall-arrest systems, and lighting bridges, with Steve coordinating internal design and engineering services across multiple renovation stakeholders.

Cirque du Soleil Varekai Arena Tour | Various Locations Internationally

Moving Production

Steve served as Project Manager for the tour’s structural, mechanical, and rigging engineering. He validated the engineering of key assemblies, coordinated multidisciplinary reviews, and developed a facility-impact rigging plot to document maximum show loads on arena structures. He also supported fabrication through a shop visit to verify construction intent and alignment with performance and safety requirements.

floating GlassBlowing Stadium

The Corning Museum of Glass’ Touring GlassBarge

“We used our experience working on Broadway theaters and concert stage performances to create stadium seating that amplified the viewer experience, while collaborating with our marine experts to maximize occupancy on the floating structure.”
- Steve Bonadonna
One Times Square Under Construction in 2023. The Ball can be seen dropping on top of the building.

Our Role in the 2025 New Times Square Ball Drop

New York, NY
Dior’s 2025 Storefront Holiday Gingerbread-Themed Display on 5th Avenue

Dior’s 2025 Holiday Display on 5th Avenue: Engineering the Gingerbread-Themed Installation

New York, NY
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade - Tom Turkey mascot - McLaren Engineering Group

Engineering Behind the Scenes at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025

New York, NY
Construction of the NYC Marathon 2025 Media Bridge

NYC Marathon Structural Engineering 2025

New York, NY
Stylized movie credit graphic displaying McLaren Engineering Group credited for Special Effects Engineering, highlighting the firm’s behind-the-scenes role in film production.

Happy Gilmore 2 Special Effects Engineering

NJ
Demolition For Rebuild of Lasker Pool and Rink

Upcoming Opening of the Davis Center at Harlem Meer

New York, NY
The Rockefeller Center Skylift with NYC Skyline in the background

The Skylift in Rockefeller Center Showcases New York's Skyline

New York, NY
McLaren provided stability analysis for these life-size Elephant family sculptures

Great Elephant Migration, Traveling Sculptures

Nationwide
Inflatable Dragon Perched on Empire State Building, promoting the start of Season 2 of HBO's House of the Dragon

Engineering Feat: Giant Inflatable Dragon Perched on Empire State Building for House of the Dragon Season 2 Premier

New York, NY
The Beam Ride at 30 Rock, photo credit McLaren Engineering Group

'The Beam' Ride Takes Safety to New Heights With the Help of McLaren Engineering Group

New York, NY
Mov­ing Chains Kinet­ic Sculp­ture

Governors Island's Moving Chains Kinetic Sculpture

Governors Island, NY
Metropolitan Opera House Modernization

Metropolitan Opera House Modernization

New York, NY
Tornado Simulator Exhibit the Museum of Science + Industry

Tornado Simulator Exhibit

Chicago, IL
TSX Broadway Rendering

TSX Broadway Engineering

New York, NY
Disney Store Shanghai - Outdoor Plaza Clock Tower

Disney Store Shanghai - Outdoor Plaza Clock Tower

Shanghai, China
Have a question or need project support?

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Headshot of Steve Bonadonna, Entertainment Regional Practice Leader at McLaren, a Division of KCI

We’re excited to share that McLaren Engineering Group is now part of KCI Technologies Inc., a 100% employee-owned firm offering engineering and consulting across all markets, and construction for communications and environmental projects.

Our commitment to excellence continues with the added strength of KCI’s full range of engineering and consulting services.

Visit KCI’s website to learn more.