Gersten, who has been the executive producer of Lincoln Center Theater since its inception in 1985, will vacate his role there June 30, 2013, LCT board chairman J. Tomilson Hill announced July 9.

Gersten and Gregory Mosher helped to redefine LCT in the mid 1980's, with programming that supported the work of new theatre writers, bold directors and re-envisioned revivals of classic plays and musicals. When Mosher departed the company in 1991, Gersten was joined by current artistic director André Bishop.

Bishop will stay on in his role as artistic director, but a successor will not be named for Gersten's role.

"We've had a terrific run for 27 years at Lincoln Center Theater and with a devoted board and a crackerjack staff, the theater can look forward to the next 27," Gersten said in a statement.

Bishop added, "Working with Bernie has been glorious – that's the word. We’ve had a wonderful partnership and a wonderful friendship. All of us at LCT owe him so much and love him so deeply. He is an amazing and generous creature. Always has been, always will be." From 1960-1978, Gersten served as associate producer at the Public Theater (then the New York Shakespeare Festival) alongside Joseph Papp. The numerous, award-winning works produced at Lincoln Center Theater during his tenure include The Coast Of Utopia, The Light In The Piazza, The Frogs, Henry  IV, Contact, The Invention Of Love, Ten Unknowns, Old Money, Spinning Into Butter, Marie Christine, Rose, Far East, Parade, Twelfth Night, Ah, Wilderness!, Pride's Crossing, Ivanov, Juan Darien, An American Daughter, A Delicate Balance, Arcadia, The Heiress, Hapgood, Carousel, The Sisters Rosensweig, The Substance Of Fire, Mule Bone, Township Fever, Six Degrees Of Separation, Waiting For Godot, Our Town, The Front Page, The House Of Blue Leaves, Speed-The-Plow, Sarafina! and Anything Goes.