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A new ballet tells the story of immigration: SSI Homelands partners with Sydney Opera House to present Chameleon

Settlement Services International

Key Facts:

Date: July 18, 2026 
Venue: Sydney Opera House 
Register here.

SSI Homelands presents Chameleon, a powerful new contemporary ballet exploring identity, migration and belonging, at the Sydney Opera House on July 18, 2026. 

Chameleon is an ambitious new ballet featuring original music composed by the project’s creator Tsoof Baras and choreography by acclaimed contemporary ballet artist Rani Luther. 

Through movement and live music, the production explores the universal search for acceptance while remaining connected to cultural roots. 

Using animal allegory, Chameleon follows the story of Oren and his father Emil, who arrive in a new land seeking belonging and connection. Confronted by the weight of their ancestry and the struggles of acceptance in a new society, the pair must navigate what it means to preserve identity while forging a future in unfamiliar surroundings. 

Chameleon creator Tsoof Baras said this show was born out of his own exploration of cultural identity. 

“As a citizen of multiple countries and child of first-generation immigrants, finding my own cultural identity has been a difficult experience — one layered with the acknowledgment that the search for belonging is a universal one not limited to global geographic migration,” he said 

Homelands is an annual multi-arts showcase presented as part of SSI’s Arts and Culture Program, bringing together diverse artistic expression and creates immersive cultural experiences that challenge conventional representations of cultural diversity. 

Historically aligned with Refugee Week, Homelands connects artists from refugee and migrant backgrounds with mainstream arts venues and audiences across Australia.  

Chameleon is produced in collaboration with Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC), 

Queensland’s leading multicultural arts organisation, dedicated to fostering intercultural exchange and empowering diverse communities through the arts.  

Through partnerships with leading arts organisations, festivals and cultural institutions, the program creates pathways for diverse artists to reach broader audiences while positioning the stories and experiences of new arrivals as central to Australian cultural life. 

The 2026 presentation of Chameleon also marks the third collaboration between SSI Homelands and the Sydney Opera House, reinforcing the value of sustained partnerships between community organisations and major cultural institutions. 

“The partnership between SSI and the Sydney Opera House is pivotal in transforming visibility and opportunity for contemporary Australian artists,” said SSI Arts and Culture Manager, Hannah Attwood. 

“Performing on a national stage carries deep cultural significance, offering recognition and connection for artists and the communities they represent. These partnerships set a new standard for inclusion and excellence in the arts,” she said.  

“The arts are also one of the most powerful tools we have to strengthen social cohesion. They help people understand different experiences, build connections across communities and create a stronger sense of belonging for everyone.” 

For choreographer Rani Luther, the work holds a deep personal resonance. 

“Chameleon is very personal to me. When Tsoof shared his story, I understood we’d been on the same journey and our paths were aligned. It’s a story I feel I’ve already been trying to tell myself innately,” she said. 

Tsoof Baras: Chameleon Creator, Director, Composer and Producer 

Inspired by personal experiences, Chameleon is led by composer, percussionist, educator and Queensland Conservatorium graduate Tsoof Baras.  

Across a career spanning more than two decades, Baras has performed and composed with artists and productions including Menaka Thomas, MZAZA, MAMMA MIA! The Musical Australia and HAMILTON Australia. He is also co-founder, director and lead composer of drumming ensemble SoundStruck. 

Rani Luther: Creative Collaborator and Choreographer 

Movement and choreography for Chameleon is developed by Rani Luther, whose distinguished career includes performances with The Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Melbourne Ballet Company, Kiel Ballet Company (Germany), and Dance Theatre 1 and 2 (Netherlands).  

Luther’s accolades include the Gold Medal at the Sanlam International Ballet Competition and a Green Room Award nomination for Best Female Dancer. 

Musicians 

• Tsoof Baras – Musical Director, Percussion 
• Elias Kokkoris – Double Bass, Percussion 
• Luke Cuerel – Woodwinds, Percussion 
• Julia Hill – Viola, Percussion 
• Matthew Teakle – Guitar, Percussion 
• Crystal Smith – Piano, Percussion 

Dancers  

• Michael Braun – Emil (Father)  
• Jayden Grogan – Oren (Son) 
• Rafaela Morel –  Snake  
• Madeleine Semple – Ancestor 
• Zara Strelen – Young Sugar Glider 
• Matthew Erlandson – Sugar Glider 

To learn more about SSI’s Arts and Culture Program.
Watch interview with Tsoof baras and Rani Luther.

About us:

Settlement Services International (SSI) delivers a range of human services that connect individuals, families, and children from diverse backgrounds with opportunities - including settlement support, disability programs, community engagement initiatives and training and employment pathways. At the heart of everything we do is a drive for equality, empathy, and celebration of every individual.

Contact details:

Sebastian Moody | BEMAC 
[email protected] 
0426 617 995