Lear deBessonet

Lear deBessonet is an American theatre director who currently works as the Kewsong Lee Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater.[1] For her work, she has been nominated for a Tony Award[2] and Obie Award,[3] as well as winning the Drama League Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.[4]

Early life and education

deBessonet grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she has noted that Mardi Gras, football and church influenced her upbringing.[5] She attended the University of Virginia as a James J. Bailey III Scholar, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor's of Arts in political and social thought.[6]

Career

In 2012, while living in New York City, she founded Public Works, a series through The Public Theater, which is described as "musical pageants adapted from classic works and featuring a mix of professional and amateur performers." She directed the program's inaugural program, The Tempest, starring Laura Benanti, Norm Lewis and over 200 community members, including the elderly and incarcerated individuals. [7][8]

In 2017, she was named resident director for New York City Center and Encores!, directing Pump Boys and Dinettes in 2014 and Big River in 2017. In 2019, she was named Artistic Director of the company after Jack Viertel, then artistic director, announced he was stepping down. [9]

Her tenure at New York City Center included directing Oliver!, starring Raúl Esparza, Into the Woods with Sara Bareilles, Patina Miller and Neil Patrick Harris, and Once Upon a Mattress, starring Sutton Foster and Ana Gasteyer, the latter two which later transferred to Broadway. For her direction of Into the Woods, deBessonet was nominated for her first Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical. [10]

In 2021, deBessonet directed the Annie Live! on NBC, alongside Alex Rudzinski, starring Taraji P. Henson and Harry Connick Jr.. [11]

In 2024, she was named the Kewsong Lee Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater, working with resident director Bartlett Sher.[12] That same fall, she directed the Encores! revival of Ragtime, starring Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz.[13] The production later transferred to the LCT's Vivian Beaumont Theater on Broadway in 2025. [14] For her direction, deBessonet was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award[15][16] and a Drama League Award. [17][18].

Stage credits

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2007 transFigures Director Off-Broadway, Theatre Four [19]
2010 On the Levee Off-Broadway, Duke on 42nd Street
2013 The Good Person of Szechwan Off-Broadway, The Foundry Theatre
2014 Pump Boys and Dinettes Off-Broadway, New York City Center
The Winter's Tale Director and Conceiver Off-Broadway, Delacorte Theatre
2015 The Odyssey Director
2017 A Midsummer Night's Dream
2018 Miss You Like Hell Off-Broadway, The Public Theatre
2019 Hercules Off-Broadway, Delacorte Theatre
2022 Into the Woods Off-Broadway, New York City Center
Broadway, St. James Theatre
2023 U.S. National Tour
Oliver! Off-Broadway, New York City Center
2024 Once Upon a Mattress Off-Broadway, New York City Center
Broadway, Hudson Theatre
Ragtime Off-Broadway, New York City Center
2025 Broadway, Vivian Beaumont Theatre

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2013 Obie Award Distinguished Direction The Good Person of Szechwan Won [20]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Director of a Play Nominated [21][22]
2014 Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Director Nominated [23]
2023 Tony Award Best Direction of a Musical Into the Woods Nominated [24]
Drama League Award Outstanding Direction of a Musical Won [25]
Founders Award for Excellence in Directing Honored
2026 Tony Award Best Direction of a Musical Ragtime Nominated [26]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Direction of a Musical Won [27][28]
Drama League Award Outstanding Direction of a Musical Won [29][30]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Direction of a Musical Won [31]

References

  1. ^ "Lear deBessonet". Lincoln Center Theater. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  2. ^ "Tony Awards 2023: Here's the list of major winners with photos". NPR. June 11, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  3. ^ "58th Annual Obie Awards (2013)". Obie Awards. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  4. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 1, 2023). "89th Annual Drama League Awards Will Honor André De Shields, Lear deBessonet, More". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  5. ^ Carl, P. (February 23, 2014). "Interview with Lear deBessonet". HowlRound Theatre Commons. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  6. ^ "Alumna Named Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater". University of Virginia Department of Drama. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  7. ^ "Lear deBessonet of Great Faith". The Interval. February 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  8. ^ Paulson, Michael (September 10, 2024). "Lincoln Center Theater Chooses Lear deBessonet as Artistic Director". The New York Times. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  9. ^ McPhee, Ryan (October 29, 2019). "Lear deBessonet to Take Over as Artistic Director of Encores! at New York City Center". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  10. ^ "Tony Awards 2023: Here's the list of major winners with photos". NPR. June 11, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  11. ^ Rosner, Helen (December 2, 2021). "Lear deBessonet on Directing Annie Live!". Vogue. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  12. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (September 10, 2024). "Lear deBessonet Named Lincoln Center Theater's New Artistic Director". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  13. ^ "Ragtime". New York City Center. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  14. ^ Rosenberg, David (October 16, 2025). "'Ragtime' Broadway Revival: Inside the Return of the Epic Musical". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  15. ^ Hetrick, Adam (January 14, 2008). "London Hairspray Breaks Record With 11 Olivier Award Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  16. ^ "Outer Critics Circle Award 2026 Nominations". New York Theater. April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  17. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  18. ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  19. ^ "Lear deBessonet". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  20. ^ "Lear deBessonet". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  21. ^ "2013 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  22. ^ Michael Paulson (May 20, 2013). "Matilda Wins Big at Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  23. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 5, 2014). "Fun Home, Here Lies Love, Buyer & Cellar Win Lortel Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  24. ^ "Tony Awards 2023: Here's the list of major winners with photos". NPR. June 11, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  25. ^ "2023 Drama League Award Winners Announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  26. ^ "Tony Nominations 2026, Read the Complete List; The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon! Lead". Playbill. May 5, 2026. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  27. ^ Hetrick, Adam (January 14, 2008). "London Hairspray Breaks Record With 11 Olivier Award Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  28. ^ "Outer Critics Circle Award 2026 Nominations". New York Theater. April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  29. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  30. ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  31. ^ "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. April 29, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
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