Managing Director, Michael Ryczek to Retire
Season of Concern Managing Director Michael Ryczek and the Board of Directors announce that Ryczek will step down from his position, effective April 1, 2025. Ryczek joined the Board in 1994, served as Board President from 2004-2010 and has served as Managing Director since 2018. Since its inception, Season of Concern has provided more than $3 million in aid. Under Ryczek’s leadership, the mission was expanded to give short-term financial assistance to Chicago theatre artists and practitioners who had any illness, injury or circumstance that kept them from working, in addition to its initial purpose of assisting those in need with HIV/AIDS-related illnesses.
The Board of Directors has begun a search for his successor. Interested individuals should visit this link to receive the job description and application materials PDF.
Michael Ryczek comments, “It has been my honor to serve as the Managing Director and a board member of Season of Concern. HIV/AIDS was killing so many friends—especially those in the Chicago theatre community—and I felt compelled to take action. The goodwill of the organization began 40 years ago with the simple suggestion of ‘passing the hat’ to audience members after performances. It proves that simple gestures can move mountains and that no one is alone—and I know that the collaborative effort will continue for generations to come.”
Marcelle McVay, President of the Board of Directors of Season of Concern comments, “The Board of Directors extends its profound thanks to Michael Ryczek for his years of service to Season of Concern, especially as its President and Managing Director. In one of the biggest crises during his leadership, SOC addressed the pandemic through direct grants to Chicago’s theater workers. With the easing of the pandemic, Michael led the effort to create an ongoing emergency fund in the memory of Chicago stage manager Malcolm Ewen.
McVay continues, “Over the last seven and a half years, Michael has been our spokesperson, our producer, our fundraiser and a resource for theater-workers (union and non -union) who cannot work due to illness or injury, as well as those who are dealing with one-time emergencies. We thank him for his many contributions to Season of Concern and our community and for leaving the organization ready to face post-pandemic challenges through expanded programming and a strong fundraising program.”