Kirkegaard is pleased to welcome Clay Benning as a Principal on the Integrated Systems Design team (KIS). Clay joins Kirkegaard from the Alliance Theatre where he has been the Resident Sound Designer for 23 years. He has designed over 150 productions, and worked on many more, including THE COLOR PURPLE, THE PROM, and BRING IT ON. Clay has worked with many of the top Broadway artists and has collaborated with T-Bone Burnett, Twyla Tharp, Tracy Letts, Dale Watson, Big Boi, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“In recent years, we’ve strategically reshaped our approach to AV systems design so that our work is more user-centered than systems-driven,” said Bren Walker, partner and founding principal, KIS. “Adding proven talent that can empathize with the challenges and stress of operating and managing high stakes performance technology gives us an edge that is crucial to our success.”

“With over 30 years of experience in the live sound and entertainment industries, Clay brings the kind of expertise and judgment that our clients will value and that will make our work even stronger.”
Bren WalkerPartner, KIS

An Atlanta native, Clay has also worked as an independent consultant and sound designer. His clients have included The Lovett School, Atlanta Ballet, The Woodruff Arts Center, Northwestern University, and the Georgia Aquarium. He is also a member of the Governor’s TCSG Sound Economy Task Force to expand audio education programming in the state of Georgia.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Kirkegaard because the opportunity to work with some of the best acoustical designers in the world was something I just couldn’t pass up. I’m looking forward to helping Kirkegaard remain at the forefront of AV and integrated systems design.”
Clay BenningPrincipal, KIS
Learn more about Kirkegaard AV Systems design HERE.