TINA — A Tropical Love Story

Ben Graetz, also known as Miss Ellaneous, is a powerhouse in Australia’s creative sector, with over 26 years of experience. Raised in Darwin with deep cultural ties to Malak Malak, Kungarakan, Muran Clan, and Badu Island, Ben has shaped the arts sector nationally and internationally. He is the Founder of BRG Productions and Co-Director of Party Passport, known for their celebration of diversity and inclusion. As Creative Director of major events like Sydney WorldPride 2023 and the Garrmalang Festival, Ben’s influence extends across communities, showcasing First Nations talent, LGBTQIA+SB advocacy, and cultural innovation.

Sani Townson is a proud descendant of the Saibai Koedal and Samu Clans of Saibai Island, whose illustrious career spans decades as a dancer, choreographer, and cultural leader. A former Bangarra Dance Theatre artist, Sani has performed on prestigious stages across Australia and the world, including award-winning productions Skin, Walkabout, and Bush. His choreographic brilliance has been showcased in works like the Indigenous children’s opera Ngailu – Boy of the Stars and international collaborations, such as the Shanghai World Expo.

Passionate about nurturing young talent, Sani has led transformative youth and community programs, including the Gili Dancers and NAISDA Dance College productions. Currently, as Youth Program Coordinator at Bangarra, Sani continues to inspire the next generation of artists while celebrating the strength and beauty of First Nations culture.

Cleopatra Pryce is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Kawrareg and Kulkalgal woman from North

Queensland, currently based in Sydney (NSW), Australia. The lead choreographer of Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts’ youth ensemble Baiwa Kazil, started performing at 4yrs old with Baiwa Dance Company, and has entertained audiences in Guangzhou (China), Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Philadelphia, and Malibu in the USA. 

Cleopatra’s outstanding leadership and commitment has been recognised over the years through the following scholarships awarded to her: the Joanne Harris Scholarship, the Young, Black & Deadly Scholarship and the Doug Hall Foundation Scholarship. She has performed in productions that include: Warengesda with Burrundi Dance Theatre, Synaesthesia by Mark Sheppard, Warupaw Uu | Echo of

Drums with Baiwa Dance Company and Giorgio Battistelli's Miracle in Brisbane which was directed by Rhoda Roberts. She is a Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher who proudly shares her love for creative expression and knowledge of her Culture with other young people, nationally and internationally. Cleopatra is fortunate to have

worked alongside amazing First Nations artists like Deborah Mailman, Casey Donovan, Albert David, Tony Briggs, Peggy Misi, Barkaa, Dobby & Dizzy Doolan. 

Cleopatra also had a duel role as Choreographer & Performer for Opera Queenslands recent project- Straight from the Strait, which was a huge success when the season premiered at Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane in August this year. She is currently on the Management Committee of Ausdance Queensland in Australia, where she continues to be a strong voice for young regional artists.

Olivia Adams is a proud Wulli Wulli woman from and based in Meanjin (Brisbane).

Olivia graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts: Dance from the Queensland University of Technology and has since built a career as an independent artist, dancer, choreographer and producer. Olivia has spent most of 2023 performing in Karul Project’s 15 stop national tour for SILENCE while also working as a producer for BlakDance.

Over the years she has also performed with Digi Youth Arts, Polytoxic, and assisted with the delivery of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s youth program Rekindling in regional communities.

Olivia has also had the exciting opportunity to perform in Germany for Documenta 15 as a part of Richard Bell’s Tent Embassy, present at Western Arts Alliance’s Advancing Indigenous Performance symposium in Calgary and development of her first full length work Matriarchs.

Olivia is proud to work in and on works that champion First Nations voices and stories and is passionate about continuing the practice of healing and storytelling through dance.

Garret Lyon is a proud Darumbal and Wulli-Wulli singer, songwriter, and dancer hailing from Central Queensland's Darumbal country. Known for his commanding stage presence, Garret combines powerful vocals with captivating dance performances that leave audiences spellbound.

Garret's artistic journey flourished when he moved to Brisbane to study at The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA), where he trained under esteemed directors including Leah Purcell, Wesley Enoch, and Sue Rider. During this time, he toured nationally, performing at high-profile events such as the NRL Indigenous All-Stars Games, and co-hosted and choreographed for NITV's Move It Mob Style. His performance career expanded internationally with a starring role as Aladdin in OzWorks’ Aladdin: The Flying Magic Carpet Show in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Garret further solidified his reputation as a versatile performer with Oscar Proco's Boy&Girl, a gender-bent cabaret where he embraced his pop star aspirations. This led to the release of his debut EP Belong To You and an opening act slot for TLC's Australian tour. A grant from the City of Melbourne allowed him to create his own live cabaret show Crazy In Lovefor the YIRRAMBOI Festival.

Garret has worked alongside industry legends such as Bernard Fanning, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Joss Stone, and remains committed to cultural protocol, teaching music and dance to Indigenous youth. His recent single “Circles” has garnered over 30,000 streams on Spotify, and Garret continues to expand his artistic reach through new music and live performances.

Martoya Jackson is a Drag Artist based in Meanjin, Australia; recently crowned the winner of Dragged OUT 2024.

Traditionally trained in Cook Island dance, Martoya has gone on to further dance studies in Contemporary & Classical ballet with support of the Janet Berney Memorial Scholarship at the New Zealand School of Dance 2014. After touring internationally with contemporary dance companies; Atamira and Black Grace, Roymata found his calling in the Art of Drag and Martoya Jackson was born. 

Martoya is best known for their one act play ‘I AM KING/QUEEN’. And after winning Best in Dance and 3 touring Awards at the Sydney Fringe Festival 2022, Martoya went on the road playing at Sydney World Pride and NZ Fringe Festival 2023.

In-between performing in the Brisbane night scene, to head-lining Queer Festivals on the East Coast; Martoya makes time for his community, volunteering as a Performance Coach for the Brisbane Hustlers gay and inclusive Rugby club. His role in the club helped bring them into 3rd place at the Bingham Cup in Rome 2024.

Kristal West is a proud Piadram, Manbarra and Palawa woman with a passion for culture and identity.

She is granddaughter to the legendary First Nations land rights activist, Dr. Eddie Mabo, who campaigned for ten years to eventually have the legal doctrine of terra nullius overturned. Her grandmother, Dr. Bonita Mabo AO, was a staunch black rights activist, recognized for her ‘distinguished service to the Indigenous community and to human rights as an advocate for the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander peoples’. Kristal is heavily influenced by her grandparents and strives to capture the stories of her bloodlines through music.

She was one of 8 winners of the nationwide Alukura songwriting competition and has appeared on NITV’s “Our Songs” which aired nationally and internationally.

On stage, she has stunned audiences in A Streetcar Named Desire as an actor and lead vocalist and also performed in Deborah Cheetham’s Short Black Opera at the Sydney Opera House. In 2023, she returned to the theatrical stage in ‘The Lucky Country’ at Hayes Theatre Co. in Sydney.

Kristal has recently showcased at BIGSOUND, and the Australian Women in Music Awards First Nations Showcases. In April 2024 she was announced as the winner of the prestigious Dennis Mop Conlon Scholarship via QMUSIC, with the $15,000 prize money going towards a special music project.

Kristal released her latest single ‘Nibe Nibe’ as a tribute to her late grandfather marking 20 years since the Mabo decision and look forward to releasing music in dedication to both her grandparents.