André Bishop will conclude his tenure as Lincoln Center Theater’s (LCT) producing artistic director at the end of the 2024-2025 season. Bishop has not announced his professional retirement, nor has he announced future plans. The board of directors at LCT will begin a search for Bishop’s replacement.
Bishop’s departure from the organization will coincide with the end of LCT’s 40th anniversary season. It is the third change of artistic directors among the four nonprofit institutions that produce on Broadway; Roundabout Theatre Company’s Todd Haimes passed away earlier this year, and Second Stage Theater’s Carole Rothman recently announced the end of her term.
Bishop joined LCT as artistic director in January 1992. Since July 2013, he has served as producing artistic director. In that role, he oversees programming at Broadway’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, Off-Broadway’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater and the Claire Tow Theater. Bishop also works with members of the organization’s artistic staff, including current resident directors Bartlett Sher and Lileana Blain-Cruz and LCT3 artistic director Evan Cabnet.
During his tenure, Bishop has won 15 Tony Awards for LCT productions and was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2012.
In addition to his producing responsibilities, Bishop led the creation of the Claire Tow Theater and the LCT3 program, which aims to produce work by the next generation of artists and engage new audiences. Bishop also directed the growth of Open Stages, LCT’s education program, which partners with schools lacking resources to support arts programming.
“My years at Lincoln Center Theater have been happy ones, and I will miss working with all my friends and colleagues,” Bishop said in a statement. “But the time has come, as it inevitably does, for the next generation to step in and step up. I look forward to that. LCT has always been a welcoming home for artists, and I know that tradition will continue. I thank the board for their continued support, and I look forward to collaborating on a seamless transition.”
Kewsong Lee, chairman of the board of directors of LCT, said in a statement, “André has accomplished so much and touched so many. His leadership and artistic vision can be credited for Lincoln Center Theater’s longstanding success and impact, and our high stature among the preeminent not-for-profit performing arts organizations in America.”
Lee continued, “On behalf of the board, I express our deepest gratitude for his devotion, insight and care in guiding the institution.”
