TORONTO, July 15, 2016 –Children’s Peace Theatre’s (CPT) work to create a culture of peace has never been more relevant. This years Annual Summer Peace Camp cast of 60 children and youth and 10 professional artists are alarmed by the increasing violence globally and the harsh reality of persistent, systemic racism that continues to result in the loss of black lives. Beyond the usual array of inevitable conflicts that arise while collaborating with 60 children and youth to create an original production about current social issues, this year we are acutely aware of the impact of recent events on the well being of our young participants and our community.
“In light of all that continues to go on in the world in the last few days…. I just wanted to say that it makes places like CPT even more important. I wanted to thank all of you, especially today, for being present with those kids to face the hard and also the joyful truths of our humanity! Thank you all for your commitment and courage! ” – Mother of a long time cast member who is a first time youth guide this year.
Peace Theatre stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and we are doing our utmost during camp to hold space for those most affected by the incidents of racism, violence and oppression that we see in our community and world.
Children’s Peace Theatre’s uses a powerful methodology of collaborative art making grounded in Anti-Oppression principles that has a proven track record for transforming conflicts and lives. Not only does this process result is Toronto’s yet to be discovered best summer theatre, it offers a way towards unity.
This summers Annual Production entitled ‘I’ explores the concept of Individuality weaving the stories of our individual and collective struggles for self actualization, freedom and peace.
Peace Gala Performance
Saturday, July 23rd, 2016 Show starts at 5 p.m. followed by a cocktail reception
$25 Adults $15 Students & Seniors $10 Children 14 and under
Matinees
Friday, July 22nd, 2016 Show starts at 1 p.m. Pay What You Can
Location: 305 Dawes Road, Toronto, ON M4B 2E2
For tickets and gala information, please contact:
Ahsan Ullah, Summer Events Coordinator Tel: 416-752-1550 E-mail:events@childrenspeacetheatre.org
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
TANISHA TAITT is a director/actor/playwright and arts educator. She has worked with theatre companies including Nightwood, Acting UpStage, Obsidian,National Arts Centre, Buddies In Bad Times, Toronto Youth Theatre and Soulpepper, and spent two seasons as a Resident Artist Educator with Young People’s Theatre. Also a singer-songwriter, she is a recipient of the Canadian Music Publishers Association Songwriters Award. She is a two-time YWCA Woman of Distinction nominee for her commitment to artistic excellence and social justice. Tanisha is well known for addressing deep-rooted global issues and has worked with young people across Toronto to inspire them to express their thoughts about their lives and their relationship to the world around them.
BROWNMAN ALI has spent the last two decades splitting his time between touring with the likes of Jay-z, Missy Elliot, Paul Simon and several of his own award-winning ensembles, but has once more taken the month of July off to work with the youth and write the music for this theatrical production giving young people the opportunity to work with one of Canada’s musical giants. Just last year winning a 2015 International Independent Music Award for “jazz-funk album of the year”, his outstanding work with the children this summer is yet another reason to see this year’s gala production.
LIDO PIMIENTA is a Toronto-based Colombian born interdisciplinary artist-curator and musician. She has performed, exhibited, and curated around the world since 2002. Her work explores the politics of gender, race, motherhood, identity and the construct of the Canadian landscape in the Latin American Diaspora and vernacular.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S PEACE THEATRE
Children’s Peace Theatre, an award-winning community arts organization, most recently recognized as a finalist for the 2014 Toronto Arts Foundation Arts for Youth Award, provides programming for under-served children and youth in the Taylor Massey Community. The MANDATE of the Children’s Peace Theatre is to create a culture of peace by engaging children and youth through the practice of theatre and art.
