CHICAGO: About Face Theatre has announced that artistic director Andrew Volkoff will step down at the end of the 2016-17 season. The company’s board has formed a committee to conduct a national search for his successor and to oversee the leadership transition.

“We are proud to have worked alongside Andrew and celebrate his many contributions, including his service to our mission through programming that has explored a diverse array of issues and groups within the LGBTQIA community,” said board president Becky Huinker in a statement. “Andrew has laid a solid foundation for the next artistic director and we’re excited to begin the search for a new leader who will bring a strong vision to AFT and champion our values of authentic representation of our community on stage.”

Volkoff joined the company as artistic director in 2013, and under his leadership, the theatre has produced plays such as Philip Dawkins’s Le Switch, Aditi Kapil’s Brahman/I, A. Rey Pamatmat’s after all the terrible things i do, and Bixby Elliot’s Abraham Lincoln Was a Fggt. Volkoff also reintroduced the OUT FRONT series, which presents developmental works exploring LGBTQIA themes, and started First DrAAft, a reading series featuring the work of About Face artistic associates.

“For the past four years, it has been my privilege to work with the talented and fiercely dedicated staff, artists and board at About Face Theatre, where our crucial mission of creating exceptional theatre and educational programming that advances the national dialogue on sexual and gender identity is celebrated,” said Volkoff in a statement. “The decision to step down is a personal one. After my battle with cancer and the loss of my father last year, I feel the need to devote more time to my family and my health. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life and am confident that I leave About Face in a stronger place.”