Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the appointment of Alex Rhyan as the company’s first full-time production and operations director, a position which has been made possible by a Bayless Family Foundation Stepping Stone grant.

Rhyan has served as a freelance technical director and production manager for Porchlight, as well as American Theater Company, About Face Theater, Steep Theater, and Windy City Playhouse where he helped bring eleven productions to life, including the immersive hit “Southern Gothic.” He’s a graduate of Columbia College Chicago’s theatre program, with a concentration in Stage Management.

He will provide production management for all of Porchlight’s artistic programming and manage maintenance and rentals of Porchlight’s three rehearsal studios/classrooms, scene shop, and costume and prop storage.

Celebrated Chicago chef Rick Bayless says that the Stepping Stone grants are to help take recipients to the next level over three years. “In many cases, the grants are going to help them reach a broader audience, and to be able to really showcase their craft in a way that we feel like they deserve.”