Kelly Nelson is a visionary force in immersive entertainment and experiential design. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, she has captivated audiences globally with award-winning concepts and theatrical marketing that redefine boundaries in live experience. As the founder and Chief Creative Officer of L.E.D. Experience, an agency celebrated for its high-impact, experiential productions for iconic clients like AMC Network, Coca-Cola, and CNN, Kelly continues to shape the evolving landscape of immersive theater.

Kelly’s journey began with The Maverick Group, the experiential design and production agency she founded in 1993. This was no ordinary agency—she established it after securing her first major project by winning a bid against Jack Morton Worldwide, the global experiential powerhouse where she received her initial training. For 19 years, The Maverick Group thrived under her direction, specializing in corporate, public, and nonprofit projects that blended strategic experience design with behavioral psychology. Her unique, formula-based approach not only earned her agency a reputation for moving audiences toward targeted outcomes but also garnered countless awards, establishing her as a leader in high-stakes experience design.

One of Kelly’s early landmark projects was Luminocity, a free-to-the-public spectacle that transformed Atlanta’s downtown with an electrifying fusion of light, music, dance, and aerial artistry. Featuring Outkast’s Big Boi as the “Ringmeister,” Luminocity set a new standard for what public art could achieve in Atlanta, drawing tens of thousands and embodying Kelly’s passion for culturally resonant, visually captivating experiences.

In 2010, Kelly founded L.E.D. Experience to broaden her focus and further hone her philosophy of purpose-driven, immersive entertainment. Through L.E.D., she has continued to create memorable productions that engage audiences emotionally while driving strategic outcomes. The agency’s projects are known for their innovative, transformative quality, whether designed for corporate giants or intimate public installations.

Her latest creation, Mirth & Mischief at Uhuburg Castle, showcases the depth of her craft. Set within the grandeur of a Renaissance-inspired castle in Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains, this production merges cirque-style acrobatics, character-driven storytelling, live music, and interactive elements into an unforgettable immersive experience. For Kelly, Mirth & Mischief is more than entertainment; it’s a vehicle for community engagement and creative expression, providing local job opportunities and hands-on experience in performance arts for students in the area.

Kelly’s work stands as a testament to her ability to push creative boundaries while cultivating connections. Her productions are known not only for their visual impact but also for their resonance, inviting audiences into worlds that feel as real as they are fantastical. With Mirth & Mischief, Kelly once again demonstrates her commitment to experiential storytelling that brings people together, enriches communities, and leaves a lasting impression.