Free-doom Down Under: Sulochana Dissanayake on theatre, identity and empathy

In 2024, artist Sulochana Dissanayake, her husband Dinuka Liyanawatte and their two children moved from Sri Lanka to Australia seeking stability and a spark in the arts landscape. A year on, Sulochana and Dinuka's experiences settling as skilled migrants have inspired their latest artistic collaboration 'Free-doom Down Under' that explores the negotiations new migrants silently confront. The theatre creator unravels with Suhayla Sharif how art has anchored her career and nourishing South Asian cultural health in Australia. SBS Spice attended the OzAsia Festival, thanks to the festival organisers.

Sulochana Dissanayake sits down with SBS Spice to explore how theatre works are making space for migrant stories. Tap the audio player to listen. Photo by Bri Hammond.

We have such a big responsibility to keep delivering our art that can open eyes to what it's really like on the other side of the table.

Sulochana Dissanayake on how art fuels understanding

SBS Spice is your go-to for South Asian Australian culture, exploring what makes us tick—or ick. Catch us on your favourite podcast platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and the SBS Audio app.

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