Q&A: André Bishop and Paige Evans

Photo: Dan Eckstein

André Bishop, artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater, conveys a certain professorial air. But get him onto the subject of LCT3, the theater’s new Off-Off Broadway–style wing, and the cusses fly. TONY spoke with Bishop and his LCT3 coconspirator, Paige Evans.

Time Out New York: This is your baby, right?
André Bishop: Lincoln Center Theater has needed to do this for years. This is the opposite of the sort of analogy I should be making, but since we’re doing South Pacific right now, fuck it. You know how in The King and I, Mrs. Anna desperately wants a house outside the walls of the palace? That’s been my situation about this theater.

Time Out New York: Why does Lincoln Center Theater need yet another space? You already have two.
André Bishop: There’s nothing worse than putting the wrong play in front of the wrong audience. It’s just a trip to hell. Also, the institution needs to cultivate a new generation of artists who will work in our larger theaters. I can’t just have Jack O’Brien and Graciela Daniele directing everything! And I wanted someone other than stodgy old me, someone younger and peppier to run it.

Time Out New York: So that’s where you come in, Paige?
Paige Evans: Me and a stack of plays—and many people pitching in. Our first show is Clay, Matt Sax’s one-man hip-hop musical.

Time Out New York: Not typical Lincoln Center fare.
André Bishop: It’s tough here: The members won’t go away, which is great! But we have to work to broaden our audience. Just because it’s 20 bucks doesn’t mean they will show up.

Time Out New York: What’s your grand vision for LCT3?
Paige Evans: A lot of productions. Just having two puts too much focus on each one. Also, I hope our commissioning program will generate work we can produce.
André Bishop: And we need a permanent space! In London, they let you bring beer to your seat. That’s what the audience needs: beers in the seats.

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