{{Short description|Australian dancer}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Kate Champion | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1961}} | nationality = | occupation = Dancer, choreographer, artistic director | years_active = | era = | employer = | organization = {{bulleted list|Black Swan State Theatre Company 2022|Force Majeure|}} }} '''Kate Champion''' is an Australian choreographer and artistic director. Since 2022 and {{as of|lc=yes|2024}} she is artistic director of Black Swan State Theatre Company in Perth, Western Australia. She was the founding artistic director/CEO of Force Majeure dance company in Sydney, from 2002 to 2015, where she co-devised and directed such works as ''Same, Same But Different'' and ''Not in a Million Years''. She also created and performed the critically-acclaimed solo shows, ''Face Value'' and ''About Face'', and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including three Helpmann Awards.
Champion has worked in theatre, dance, film, circus, opera, and musical theatre, with arts companies including Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company of South Australia, The English National Opera, Opera Australia, and Hayes Theatre. She choreographed the original stage version of the film ''Dirty Dancing''.
==Early life and education== Kate Champion was born in 1961.<ref>{{Citation | title=Champion, Kate (1961-) | journal=Trove | publication-date=2008 | url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-641863 | access-date=22 November 2024}}</ref>
She travelled to Munich at age 16 working with Iwanson Dance Company. Returning to Australia, Champion was a member of One Extra Dance Company before moving to New York City to study, and then returning to Australia becoming a foundation member of Dance North.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Kate champion |url=https://opera.org.au/artist/kate-champion/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=opera.org}}</ref>
==Career== In 1992 Champion travelled to London, where she spent time with Lloyd Newson's DV8 Physical Theatre, first as production assistant and then as a performer in ''Strange Fish'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dv8.co.uk/projects/archive/strange-fish|title=DV8 Physical Theatre|website=dv8.co.uk}}</ref> both the stage and BBC film versions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dv8.co.uk/projects/archive/strange-fish--film|title=DV8 Physical Theatre|website=dv8.co.uk}}</ref> In 1998 she returned to DV8 as rehearsal director for a European tour of ''Enter Achilles'' and as a collaborator and performer in ''The Happiest Day of My Life''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dv8.co.uk/projects/archive/the-happiest-day-of-my-life|title=DV8 Physical Theatre|website=dv8.co.uk}}</ref>
In 1996, Champion was awarded the Robert Helpmann Scholarship<ref>[http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au/uncategorized/robert-helpmann-dance-scholarship/ Robert Helpmann Dance Scholarship]arts.nsw.gov.au {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313121909/http://www.arts.nsw.gov.au/uncategorized/robert-helpmann-dance-scholarship/ |date=13 March 2017 }}</ref> for Choreographic Excellence, enabling her to create her first solo work ''Face Value''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/kate-champion-solo-work/face-value/ |title=Force Majeure – Face Value |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410182540/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/kate-champion-solo-work/face-value/ |archive-date=2013-04-10}}</ref> which was awarded a 1998 Green Room Award and a Mo Award. In 2001 she created a second solo show, ''About Face''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/kate-champion-solo-work/about-face/ |title=Force Majeure – About Face |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410182534/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/kate-champion-solo-work/about-face/ |archive-date=2013-04-10}}</ref>
In 1997 Champion begin collaborating with theatre director Neil Armfield and choreographed ''Cloudstreet'', and directed and devised ''Under the Influence''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realtimearts.net/article/issue24/4277|title=RealTime Arts – Magazine – issue 24 – Various gravities|website=realtimearts.net}}</ref>
Champion and Lloyd Newson's DV8 Physical Theatre worked together in creating a devised show for the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival, ''The Cost of Living''. As a professional dancer, she also worked with Australian Dance Theatre, Dance North, One Extra Co, and Theatre of Image.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
===Force Majeure=== In 2002 Champion founded and became artistic director of a new company, Force Majeure, in Sydney, where she stayed until 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forcemajeure.com.au/|title=Force Majeure|website=Force Majeure}}</ref> Her co-founders were Roz Hervey and Geoff Cobham.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kate Champion resigns from Force Majeure |website=Ausdance |date=3 September 2014 |url=https://ausdance.org.au/news/article/kate-champion-resigns-from-force-majeure |access-date=28 November 2024| quote=Force Majeure, the company I established together with my colleagues Roz Hervey and Geoff Cobham,...}}</ref>
While there, she devised and directed:
* ''Same, same, But Different''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/same-same-but-different/ |title=Force Majeure – Same, same But Different |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410182432/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/same-same-but-different/ |archive-date=2013-04-10}}</ref> – Sydney Festival, Brisbane Festival, Melbourne Festival (2002) * ''Already Elsewhere''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/already-elsewhere/ |title=Force Majeure – Already Elsewhere |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410182419/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/already-elsewhere/ |archive-date=2013-04-10}}</ref> – Sydney Festival (2005), Biennale de la Danse, Lyon (2006) * ''The Age I'm In''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/the-age-im-in/ |title=Force Majeure – The Age I'm In |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410182350/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/the-age-im-in/ |archive-date=2013-04-10}}</ref>– Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival (2008), Dublin Theatre Festival, Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Montreal Place des Arts (2009), national tour (2010){{cn|date=November 2024}} * ''Not in a Million Years''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/not-in-a-million-years/ |title=Force Majeure – Not in a Million Years |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410182342/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/not-in-a-million-years/ |archive-date=2013-04-10}}</ref> – Carriageworks (2010), Dance Massive Festival (2011) * ''Never Did Me Any Harm''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/never-did-me-any-harm/ |title=Force Majeure – Never Did Me Any Harm |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026005725/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/never-did-me-any-harm/ |archive-date=2016-10-26}}</ref> – a co-production with Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Melbourne Festival (2012), national tour (2016){{cn|date=November 2024}} * ''Food''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/food/ |title=Force Majeure – Food |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227010230/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/food/ |archive-date=2015-02-27}}</ref> – a coproduction with Belvoir (2012), metropolitan tour (2013), national tour (2014){{cn|date=November 2024}} * ''Nothing to Lose''<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/nothing-to-lose/ |title=Force Majeure – Nothing to Lose |website=forcemajeure.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024010321/http://forcemajeure.com.au/our-work/performance-history/nothing-to-lose/ |archive-date=2016-10-24}}</ref> – Sydney Festival, Malthouse Theatre (2015)
===Other work=== Champion has worked in theatre, dance, film, circus, opera and musical theatre with arts companies and institutes including Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Performing Lines, The English National Opera, Opera Australia, Hayes Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, NIDA, National Institute of Circus Arts, and National Theatre of Parramatta.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
Theatre directing credits include – ''Every Brilliant Thing'' (Belvoir),<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://belvoir.com.au/productions/every-brilliant-thing-2/ | title=Every Brilliant Thing }}</ref> ''My Brilliant Career'',<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://belvoir.com.au/productions/my-brilliant-career/ | title=My Brilliant Career }}</ref> ''Food'',<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://belvoir.com.au/productions/food-2/ | title=Food Belvoir Sydney 2012 }}</ref> ''That Eye the Sky'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/that-eye-the-sky/ |title=That Eye, The Sky – A Stage Adaption of Tim Winton's Novel |publisher=Statetheatrecompany.com.au |accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> ''A View From the Bridge'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/a-view-from-the-bridge/ |title=A View From The Bridge |publisher=State Theatre Company |accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> ''Fully Committed'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/fully-committed/ | title=FULLY COMMITTED at Ensemble Theatre }}</ref> ''Honour'',<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/honour/ | title=HONOUR }}</ref> ''Evie May''<ref>{{cite web|author=ACMN |url=https://hayestheatre.com.au/event/evie-may-a-tivoli-story/ |title=Evie May – Hayes Theatre Co |publisher=Hayestheatre.com.au |date=2018-10-12 |accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> and ''Perfect Stranger''.
In 2004 Champion choreographed the world premiere of ''Dirty Dancing'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://us.dirtydancingontour.com/creative/kate-champion-2/|title=Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013184353/http://us.dirtydancingontour.com/creative/kate-champion-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the stage show based on the popular film. Her choreography has been included in the European, West-End, North American, South African, and Asian versions of this box-office-record-holding production.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
In 2010 she choreographed Opera Australia's ''Bliss'', which also toured to the Edinburgh Festival, and ''Spring Awakening'' for Sydney Theatre Company.<ref>[https://d2wasljt46n4no.cloudfront.net/pdf/content-pages/community-pages/past-production-resources/Final%20Spring%20Awakening.pdf Spring Awakening]</ref>
Continuing her collaborative relationship with Neil Armfield, Champion took on the role of associate director of Opera Australia's 2013 production (and 2016 remount) of Wagner's ''Ring Cycle'', directed by Armfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opera.org.au/ring|title=The Ring Cycle|website=opera.org.au}}</ref>
Sometime before 2016, Champion undertook a one-month residency at multi-disciplinary arts centre The Mill in Adelaide, as part of their Choreographic Futures program, the outcomes of which were described as "profound".<ref name=foster2016>{{cite web | last=Foster | first=Farrin | title=The Mill goes global | website=CityMag | date=29 June 2016 | url=https://citymag.indaily.com.au/culture/the-mill-goes-global/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331013607/https://citymag.indaily.com.au/culture/the-mill-goes-global/ | archive-date=31 March 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref>
In 2016 she directed ''Swallow'', written by Stef Smith – the inaugural production of National Theatre of Parramatta.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://riversideparramatta.com.au/NTofP/show/swallow/|title=Swallow – National Theatre of Parramatta|website=riversideparramatta.com.au}}</ref> In 2018 Champion directed ''That Eye the Sky'', adapted from the novel by Tim Winton for State Theatre Company of South Australia, and the world premiere of the musical ''Evie May'' for Hayes Theatre. 2019 productions included ''Every Brilliant Thing'' for Belvoir Theatre, ''Meat Eaters'' and ''Perfect Strangers'' for NIDA, ''A View From the Bridge'' for State Theatre Company of Australia and ''Fully Committed'' and ''Honour'' for Ensemble Theatre.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
Champion choreographed the movement sequences in the film ''Somersault''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381429/|title=Somersault|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> (starring Abbie Cornish and Sam Worthington), and most recently ''RED''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLTmuK_5mv0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/BLTmuK_5mv0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=RED | del kathryn barton|date=20 November 2016 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
===Black Swan=== In 2022, Champion was appointed artistic director of Black Swan State Theatre Company, at the same time as the appointment of Ian Booth as Chief Executive Officer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bsstc.com.au/news/black-swan-announces-new-leadership-team|title=Black Swan Announces New Leadership Team|date=16 March 2020 |website=Black Swan State Theatre Company| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172550/https://blackswantheatre.com.au/news/black-swan-announces-new-leadership-team| archive-date= 20 Sep 2022}}</ref> {{as of|November 2024}} she remains in the position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board & Staff |website=Black Swan State Theatre Company |date=27 September 2023 |url=https://blackswantheatre.com.au/our-people/board-and-staff |access-date=22 November 2024}}</ref>
==Awards== ===Australian Dance Awards=== The Australian Dance Awards.<ref name=australiandanceawards>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiandanceawards.net.au/awards/2018|title=2018 Awards – 21st Australian Dance Awards|website=australiandanceawards.net.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924013320/https://www.australiandanceawards.net.au/awards/2018| archive-date=24 Sep 2023}}</ref>{{fails verification|date=November 2024}}{{cn|date=November 2024}} {{awards table}} (wins only) |- | 2005 | Kate Champion – ''Already Elsewhere'' | Outstanding Performance by a Company | {{won}} |- | 2009 | Kate Champion – ''The Age I'm In'' | Outstanding Performance by a Company | {{won}} |- {{end}}
===Helpmann Award=== The Helpmann Awards. {{awards table}} (wins only) |- |rowspan="2"| 2002n<ref name=helpmannawards>{{cite web|url=http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/2002/past-nominees-and-winners/dance-physical-theatre|title=Past nominees and winners | Helpmann Awards|website=helpmannawards.com.au}}</ref> | Kate Champion – ''About Face'' | Best Female Dance | {{won}} |- | Kate Champion – ''Same, Same But Different'' | Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production | {{won}} |- | 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/helpmann-award-winners-20110801-1i848.html|title=Helpmann Award winners|date=1 August 2011|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> | Kate Champion – ''Not in a Million Years'' | Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production | {{won}} |- {{end}}
===Mo Awards=== The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|title=MO Award Winners|website=Mo Awards|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=26 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326000731/https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{awards table}} (wins only) |- | 1998 | Kate Champion | Female Dance Performance of the Year | {{won}} |- {{end}}
===Other Awards=== * ''Nothing to Lose'' – 2016 FBi Radio SMAC Award for Best on Stage<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIsrzQamstE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ZIsrzQamstE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The 2015 FBi SMAC Awards – Carriageworks, January 2016|date=14 February 2016 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> * ''Face Value'' – 1998 Greenroom Award for Best Female Dancer,
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{cite web|url=https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110581238&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|title=Kate Champion interviewed by Martin Portus, 19 May 2016|website=State Library of New South Wales Catalogue|access-date=15 May 2018}} *{{official|https://www.forcemajeure.com.au/|Force Majeure}} * [https://vimeo.com/35922232 RealTime TV interview on the set of ''Never Did Me Any Harm'' ] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140808175931/https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/magazine/posts/2012/february/essay-the-evolution-of-dance-theatre "The Evolution of Dance Theatre"], by Jo Litson
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Champion, Kate}} Category:Australian female dancers Category:Australian theatre directors Category:Australian women theatre directors Category:Australian choreographers Category:Australian women choreographers Category:Contemporary dancers Category:Helpmann Award winners Category:Living people Category:1961 births