Artistic Director

We are pleased to announce that Lincoln Center Theater (LCT) has named Lear deBessonet as the Artistic Director, effective July 2025.

As Artistic Director, deBessonet will be responsible for all programming and season planning; cultivating and maintaining relationships with artists; and oversight and day to day operating of the staff and organization.

deBessonet is a Tony-nominated director and current Artistic Director of Encores! at New York City Center.  Notable productions during her tenure at Encores include her direction of Once Upon a Mattress (currently on Broadway), Into the Woods (Broadway, National Tour), and Oliver! She directed and executive produced “Annie Live!” for NBC and is the Founder of Public Works at the Public Theater where she served as Resident Director from 2012-2020.  She served as Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Arts for EveryBody: an ambitious national arts and health project bringing together mayors, community health centers, and local artists in 18 cities and towns across America.   She received the Drama League Founders Award and Best Director of a Musical Award, an Obie Award for Direction, the Ammerman Award, Lilly Award, and multiple Drama Desk, Lortel, and Outer Critics Circle nominations.

In addition to deBessonet’s appointment, Bart Sher, LCT Resident Director will assume the new role of Executive Producer. He will be responsible for the oversight of strategic priorities such as the development of international partnerships, brand expansion, as well as the expansion of fundraising and LCT’s resources.

This represents a new leadership model and exciting new direction for this important American theater, as well as its first woman artistic director. Together, deBessonet and Sher will forge a new and powerful vision for Lincoln Center Theater while continuing to honor its rich, extraordinary history as a home for artists.

Sarah James and Ben Tobin led this search with David Grimes and Siobhan Hanley.

Read the full press release here.