Jonathan Burrows is a choreographer whose main focus is an ongoing body of pieces with the composer Matteo Fargion, with whom he continues to perform around the world. The two men are co-produced by BIT Teatergarasjen Bergen, PACT Zollverein Essen and Sadler's Wells Theatre London. Burrows is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University. His 'A Choreographer's Handbook' has sold over 15,000 copies since its publication in 2010.

Preface Dancing / Principles Material Habits Repetition Repetition Repetition Improvisation / Cut and paste / Choreography Form Exploration / Risk Subject / Inspiration / Stealing / Familiar movement / Referencing other sources/ Choreography / Self-expression Contract / Performance space / Language / Choreography Breaking The Rules Research / How and what? / Dramaturgy / Theory / Curiosity Interview / Unfinished business / Questions / Principles Financial limitations / Studios / Funding Applications Preparation / Rehearsal schedule / Heaviness Collaboration / Audience Originality / Paradox Technique / Parrot on your shoulder / Authenticity / Daily practice / Dancing / Style / Fiddling Virtuosity Hoarding / Beginnings Endings Keeping it going / Pacing Dub reggae / Rate of change / Simple material / Desperation Stillness and silence / Fear of being boring Minimal and maximal Does it work? / Showings / Mentoring Other bodies / States Distracting the self / Paradox / Choreography / Performance / Electric guitars Predictable and unpredictable / Expectation Narrative / Ballet / Continuity Continuity / Sectional pieces / Material / Make six things / Choreography / Flow / Relation Relation / Solos, duos, trios, quartets / Ideas Relation / Time / Rhythm Time Abstract dance Counterpoint / Formal elements / Difference Scores / Studios / Improvisation Chance / Empty hands / Gamut of movements / Limitations / Laborious work Place or space? Audience / Facing the front / Confrontation / Humour / Failure Audience Performance / Principles The marketplace / Earning a living / Administrating the work / Commissions Music / Collaboration / Silence Text Lighting / Technicians / Collaboration / Costumes / Shoes or no shoes? / Set design / Nudity Titles Filming / History / Collaboration / Mirrors / Human-scale Hierarchies / Who owns what? / Dancer or choreographer? / In it or out of it? How can I simplify all of this? Forget all this Bibliography Thanks Biography of the author Index