 In 1996, Champion was awarded the Robert Helpmann Scholarship for Choreographic Excellence enabling her to create her first solo work "Face Value" which was awarded a 1998 Green Room Award and a MO Award.In 2001 she created a second solo show "About Face".In 1997 Champion begin collaborating with theatre director Neil Armfield and choreographed "Cloudstreet", and directed and devised "Under the Influence".