Lincoln Center Theater Launches Helen Gurley Brown Theater Lab
Lincoln Center Theater Launches Helen Gurley Brown Theater Lab With $4.25 Million Grant
Lincoln Center Theater inaugurated the Helen Gurley Brown Theater Lab on October 2, 2026, backed by a $4.25 million grant from the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation to fund new theatrical works over five years, americantheatre.org reported. The founding cohort features playwrights and composers James Ijames, Martyna Majok, Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Avery Deutsch, and Ro Reddick.
Foundation Funding and Leadership Changes at LCT3
The funding stems from the estate of Helen Gurley Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine. Eve Burton, president of the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, stated that the partnership reflects an endeavor Helen would have relished, according to americantheatre.org. Alongside the grant, structural title changes took effect immediately across the organization. Maria Manuela Goyanes stepped into the role of Helen Gurley Brown artistic director and producer of LCT3, while Kalina Ko joined as the Helen Gurley Brown Theater Lab manager and associate producer, shifting from her previous position as literary manager at Atlantic Theater Company.
Fellows Receive Space and Financial Support for Projects
Fellows participating in the lab receive dedicated physical space, financial backing, and strategic development support to bring their stage projects to fruition. Lear deBessonet, artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater, emphasized that artists require time and resources to explore new ideas rather than merely putting a play on its feet. Dates for public presentations of the fellows’ developed works remain unannounced.
Current Programming at the Claire Tow Theater
The launch accompanies the ongoing 2026-2027 LCT3 season at the Claire Tow Theater under Goyanes’ curation. Current programming features the world premiere of Mfoniso Udofia’s play, creation stories and all the important importants, which was previously featured in the 2026 Lincoln Center Theater Reading Series and is directed by Tamilla Woodard. The season slate also includes Emma Watkins’ play Pretend It’s Pretend, directed by Annie Tippe, alongside the scheduled return of The Comedy Series in the spring of 2027.
