Karen Emerson, Artistic Director
E-mail: karen@childrenspeacetheatre.org
Karen is a mother, artist, and activist. She joined CPT in 2005 as the Visual Arts Director and stayed on to bring her passion for social justice to the fore of the work. She brings her years of experience working with diverse communities within the grassroots, arts, education and women’s health sectors to create systems change. Karen is currently pursuing her Masters in Environmental Studies at York University where her research considers the recurring questions in activist spaces about what it means to decolonize the processes and practices in our personal lives, within the community arts sector, and within social movements. She is committed to pushing against her own privilege as a white settler to hold space for young people and communities seeking equity and justice. Karen has also studied at the Ontario College of Art, the Toronto School of Art and Ryerson University. She spent many years prior to joining Children’s Peace Theatre creating workshops for children and youth and using the arts to raise awareness and understanding of issues of peace and social justice. Karen has a strong connection to the community of East Toronto and believes deeply that artistic practice can change the world one person, one community at a time.
B'atz Recinos, Cultural Cultivator
E-mail: innovator@childrenspeacetheatre.org
B'atz' joined CPT in November 2020 taking on the role of animating the Youth Arts Space, Strategic planning and supporting the community with program development and community relations.
B’atz’ Recinos was born and raised on Turtle Island with mixed Maya roots from Iximulew (Guatemala). A creator, performer, advocate, and Harold Award recipient for the performing arts of Tkaronto. Their commitment to equitable and diverse practices within the arts has led them to speak at YouthREX and several other panels. B'atz' has published articles with NOW, Intermission Magazine, and contributed to The Director’s Lab book published by Playwright Canada Press. A trained facilitator, B'atz has delivered various workshops on diversity, inclusion, art and self-care with youth, artists, and communities across Ontario. Their extensive experience in the performing arts led them to found Creative Mafia.
E-mail: innovator@childrenspeacetheatre.org
B'atz' joined CPT in November 2020 taking on the role of animating the Youth Arts Space, Strategic planning and supporting the community with program development and community relations.
B’atz’ Recinos was born and raised on Turtle Island with mixed Maya roots from Iximulew (Guatemala). A creator, performer, advocate, and Harold Award recipient for the performing arts of Tkaronto. Their commitment to equitable and diverse practices within the arts has led them to speak at YouthREX and several other panels. B'atz' has published articles with NOW, Intermission Magazine, and contributed to The Director’s Lab book published by Playwright Canada Press. A trained facilitator, B'atz has delivered various workshops on diversity, inclusion, art and self-care with youth, artists, and communities across Ontario. Their extensive experience in the performing arts led them to found Creative Mafia.
Zainab Amadahy, Intergenerational Lead: Soil, Spirit, Society
Zainab joined CPT in January 2017 to support Soil, Spirit , Society. She continues with role building relationships and researching emerging governance models.
Zainab Amadahy is a researcher, organizational development consultant, author, and educator currently based in Toronto. Her background in community service is in the areas of Indigenous knowledge reclamation, curanderismo, non-profit housing, women’s services, migrant settlement and community arts as well as medical and photovoltaic technologies. Among her publications is "Indigenous Peoples and Black Peoples in Canada: Settlers or Allies” (co-authored with Dr. Bonita Lawrence, 2009) and the futurist novel Moons of Palmares (Sister Vision Press, 1998).
Zainab joined CPT in January 2017 to support Soil, Spirit , Society. She continues with role building relationships and researching emerging governance models.
Zainab Amadahy is a researcher, organizational development consultant, author, and educator currently based in Toronto. Her background in community service is in the areas of Indigenous knowledge reclamation, curanderismo, non-profit housing, women’s services, migrant settlement and community arts as well as medical and photovoltaic technologies. Among her publications is "Indigenous Peoples and Black Peoples in Canada: Settlers or Allies” (co-authored with Dr. Bonita Lawrence, 2009) and the futurist novel Moons of Palmares (Sister Vision Press, 1998).
