Lear deBessonet Named Next Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater

As a seasoned gamer of the New York City theater scene, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation at the impending changes at Lincoln Center Theater (LCT). Lear deBessonet, the artistic director of Encores! at New York City Center, is set to take over from André Bishop after his impressive 33-year tenure.

Lincoln Center Theater has appointed Lear deBessonet as its new artistic director, taking over from André Bishop who served for 33 years.

Currently, DeBessonet holds the position as artistic director for Encores! at New York City Center, where they bring back musical productions. Notably, some of their recent revivals, such as “Into the Woods” and “Once Upon a Mattress,” have made their way to Broadway. DeBessonet will now collaborate with Bartlett Sher, a renowned Broadway director and resident director at Lincoln Center Theater, who is taking on a new role as executive producer.

Previously declared, Bishop is set to conclude his term in June 2025, during which he will guide this season that features Robert Downey Jr. in the upcoming movie “McNeal” and the spring revival of “Floyd Collins”. Bishop began his tenure with LCT as artistic director in January 1992, later being appointed producing artistic director in July 2013. Under his management, LCT, renowned for its grand-scale musical revivals and groundbreaking new plays, boasting a Broadway theater alongside Off-Broadway venues, has been honored with Tony Awards for its revivals of “The King and I” and “South Pacific”, as well as the plays “Oslo” and “The Coast of Utopia”.

In their new positions, deBessonet will oversee programming and season planning, while Sher will focus on forging international partnerships, expanding the brand, and increasing LCT’s fundraising and resources. Prior to leading Encores!, deBessonet established Public Works at the Public Theater, a program that involves local community groups in theater productions, serving as its resident director from 2012 to 2020.

Sher, who has been resident director of LCT since 2008, directed To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway, in addition to My Fair Lady, Oslo, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, The Bridges of Madison County, South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza and more.

Come July 1st, 2025, I’ll be stepping into new positions, reporting directly to the Head of the LCT Board. Looking forward to it!

Changes in nonprofit leadership on Broadway are currently underway, with four key organizations involved. Evan Cabnet, previously artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater‘s LCT3, which focuses on new productions, has been appointed as the new artistic director at Second Stage Theater, succeeding Carole Rothman after a 45-year tenure. Meanwhile, Roundabout Theater Company is yet to find a permanent successor following the demise of Todd Haimes, who had managed programming for four decades.

I am deeply humbled to take on the role of the upcoming Artistic Director at Lincoln Center Theater, following in the footsteps of André Bishop’s remarkable legacy. The moment I set foot on the Lincoln Center campus, I felt a sense of awe and enchantment. Here, I’ve witnessed captivating new plays and musicals, breathtaking revivals, and insightful reinterpretations of classics – all coexisting with intellectual depth, creativity, and aesthetic beauty.

The Lincoln Center Theater, one of America’s most significant stages, has been exceptionally managed by André Bishop, leaving behind a rich legacy marked by quality and strength. Sher stated that the theater’s role in our culture has never been more crucial – fostering dialogue, engagement, and community. The theater’s impressive structures and dedicated staff have resulted in groundbreaking and enduring work right in the heart of New York and across the nation. I am privileged to partner with the talented Lear deBessonet as she steers Lincoln Center Theater towards a transformative future.

2024-09-10 18:54

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