It is believed that some of the following factors contributed to the development and establishment of the Ryerson Theatre School program: 1950-1970: Acting course part of the RTA curriculum. (1970-1994: Theatre arts course became an elective of the RTA curriculum). 1964: Jack McAllister (English department faculty member) developed a theatre course within the English program. 1967: Jack McAllister placed in charge of Ryerson Theatre. 1968: McAllister became Artistic Director of Theatre Studies, Ryerson Theatre. 1971: Official establishment of Ryerson Theatre Department, program beginning in the Fall. 1972: McAllister became first Chair of Theatre Department. The school changed its name in 2016.