Both personally and professionally, Laura Been was an integral and beloved member of the TYA community. She guided and mentored hundreds of theater artists, from well known to just discovered – most prominently as the Senior Manager of Artistic Programming for New 42 and New Victory Theater.
Over six years, Laura led the New Victory LabWorks new work development program, stewarding relationships with artists and partners, producing and curating invited rehearsals, and growing the community of TYA artists in New York City and nationally. For seven years prior, she worked as the Production Manager and Associate Production Manager for the New Victory, working with artists from around the globe to realize their dreams in the oldest operating theater in NYC.
Laura was known and deeply respected for her independent producing work including her role as General Manager for Pipeline Theatre Company and as a subcommittee member of the American Playwriting Foundation. She joined Monica Bill Barnes & Company in 2019 to produce their Bessie Award-honored site specific work Days Go By. Laura graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in Theater and fulfilled her childhood dream of making theater in New York City.
She is survived by her adoring parents Kathy McGuire and Steve Been, her brother Aaron Been, his wife Laura Ramos, and the love of Laura’s life, her daughter Ruby. She is dearly missed by her friends and colleagues. Laura lives on in Ruby and in the work of the many artists she supported.
From Renata Townsend (Director, Producer, New Victory Theater Teaching Artist, Professor):
“Laura Been cared so deeply about theater, storytelling and culture. She was the most well-read person I knew – consistently reading multiple books and scripts at the same time and always having STRONG opinions about them.
Laura’s ability to move things forward, and think through all logistics, while remaining human-centered, approachable and kind was unique and special. She was able to both think as a producer – making sure all the budgets were accounted for, logistics were set, and materials were ordered – while simultaneously being the best host of an event (and the life of the party), ensuring that people felt comfortable and had what they needed.
When Laura was sick I did an interim role at The New Victory. I knew that Laura was good at her job, but sitting at her desk, reading her incredibly organized files, and stepping into the role made me truly realize the level of care that she gave to the artists she worked with. She thought of herself as a creative doula – shepherding and guiding artists to give birth to works of art. She spent so much of her time advocating for artists and thinking through what they needed to do their best work.
I don’t think Laura realized the impact she has made on the field of TYA. I see it everywhere I go. All the projects she helped shape are out in the world entertaining and being performed for children and families. The artists she introduced to other artists who are now collaborating and making work together. Recent conversations about the need for a festival or a new work immediately makes me think of her and the hole that now exists because she is no longer here.
Laura leaves behind her sweet daughter, Ruby Been. Laura took Ruby to see everything she could. It is now our responsibility as members of the field to continue making theater that I know Laura would want to share with Ruby and all the many other children in our communities. That is how I want to continue the legacy of Laura. By making and sharing the theater she advocated for, that she dedicated her life to and that she loved to experience.”
From Jess Kaufman (Dramaturg, Researcher, and Producing Artistic Director of Flying Leap Productions):
“I received the news of Laura’s passing on the first day of rehearsal for The Garden at the New Victory, Laura’s professional home for so many years.
Laura was one of the most open hearted, generous leaders in our field, She welcomed many, many artists – lucky me included – into the LabWorks new work development program, creating a network of artists who have since become collaborators, dear friends, and chosen family. Her work enriched our community and fostered kindness as a core value. Her huge smile and delightful laugh lit up our rehearsal rooms, and her smart critiques and gently probing questions deepened every work she was a part of. Her support was tireless – she even schlepped, heavily pregnant, through the Brooklyn IKEA, in heels to see a show of mine. And when Flying Leap began in 2021, she was at our first work in progress sharing: an early version of The Garden.
In rehearsals last month, we relied heavily on a recent archival video of a performance Laura was able to attend. As it happens, the camera is angled right at Laura and Ruby, framing their smiles and giggles right in the center of the work, right where they belong.
I will forever be grateful to Laura and the ways she championed so many of us. I know that her legacy will continue on through her work and that of the many, many artists she supported in her too-short time with us.”
From Sindy Castro (Theatre Maker and Educator, Co-founder of Jugando N Play):
“I first met Laura when we were both undergraduate theatre majors at Florida State University. I graduated ahead of her in 2010 and moved to Chicago. As with many connections we make in undergrad, we lost touch.
I was very lucky, however, to reconnect in my application process as a LabWorks artist at the New Victory Theatre in 2022. During my artist interview, we found it amusing that this was the space we were catching up. Laura laughed and asked something along the lines of “What have you been up to for the past 10 years?” We had both recently become moms and connected over this new role. She was just coming back from maternity leave. She was so gracious with her time in listening to me share about my new role, my artistic dreams, and the play I was working on.
Being a LabWorks artist was such an honor and getting to work with Laura as my mentor was a gift. I was working on a play called un lugar imaginario to meet a loved one, which explores grief and having conversations/experiences with young people about death that are also joyful. This was my first experience leading the creation and writing of a play on my own. I had previously co-created or been part of a devising process. Laura’s confidence in me gave me the strength to experiment. She helped make connections to other artists. She pushed me to lean into exploring loss and not being afraid to name and explore death.
Laura helped me bring the play to an invited audience, and she also mentored me through the production of that play in partnership with students at The New School in Fall 2023. She always asked what I was working on and supported my work with my theatre company Jugando N Play. She even brought her daughter Ruby to our most recent play Suenitos at the Sugar Hill Museum in November 2025.
Laura was always gracious in supporting and cheering on my work and the work of so many others. She was a strong advocate for TYA makers. She was a connector, always finding ways for different artists to meet one another. She did all of this with care and humor. I can hear her laugh in leading our monthly Labworks meetings, our workshops, and over get togethers.
I remember telling my good friend how much the interview with Laura meant to me at the time. I was on the verge of writing a play about grief after losing my dad Ruben to COVID in 2020. Ruby was a baby name I had considered in honor of my dad. It all felt like a sign from the universe at the time, that this was the way to honor my dad and step into this role as an artist mom.
When I heard about Laura’s death, I couldn’t help but think back on how she helped shepherd this year of exploration of death and grief for me. My hope is that as we continue to remember Laura, we hold onto those moments of joy, play, and laughter. That we continue to speak of her and her impact on the field of TYA. That we continue to be brave in imagining what is possible in the field of TYA as we continue to create and share stories with our young audiences.”
From Lauren Fitzgerald (Vice President of Marketing & Communications, New 42):
“Laura’s presence in the world was so BIG. Her infectious laugh was huge and recognizable across crowded spaces. She projected confidence and calm. Her smile was wide and radiant – it was hard not to grin when she was grinning. I just learned that she was 5’8” and I woulda sworn she was 6’ tall.
When Laura was with you, she was completely present and intentional. All manner of theater folks loved her. Whether you worked in production, admin, or artistic, whether you were seasoned or just starting – she had the ability to connect with you on a human level which then translated into trusting her to help make the work. And have fun with it. Lordy, she was fun.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we all can honor Laura in our lives and work. It’s very Laura Been to recognize inequities and fight to right them; to try to make little things better to affect the big things. It’s also very Laura Been to find playfulness and light everywhere, even in the dark places. It’s the most Laura Been to keep striving and keep hoping, and to be grateful for this community and each other. ”
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