A theatre scholar with a background in theatre directing and performing arts management, Ira Levine has been a Ryerson professor for the past 30 years, chairing both the Theatre School (now School of Performance) and School of Professional Communication. From 1995 to 2005 he was Dean of the Faculty of Communication & Design, in which capacity he co-developed the University’s first master’s and Ph.D. program (in Communication and Culture), guided the development of professional master’s programs in Journalism, Media Production, Documentary Media and Professional Communication, introduced BFA programs in Theatre and Dance, and established the Faculty’s international exchange office and partnerships. In recent years he conceived, developed and served as founding Chair of the School of Creative Industries, which launched in 2013. Dr. Levine is past Chair of the Canadian Association of Fine Arts Deans, a founding executive board member of the Canadian Media Research Consortium, and currently sits on the boards of directors of Civic Theatres Toronto, the Sony Centre, the St. Lawrence Centre, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. His publications include studies of American and Canadian theatre and cultural entrepreneurship education.