Jonathan Burrows is a choreographer, teacher and writer, whose work has been invited widely internationally. He is best known for an ongoing body of work with the composer Matteo Fargion, with whom he has collaborated for over 30 years. He is the author of 'A Choreographer's Handbook' (Routledge 2010) and 'Writing Dance' (2022) and is currently Associate Professor at the Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University, UK.

Preface, 2nd edition

Dancing / Principles

Material

Habits

Repetition

Repetition

Repetition

Improvisation / Cut and paste / Choreography

Form

Exploration / Risk

Breaking the rules

Subject / Inspiration / Stealing / Familiar movement / Choreography / Referencing other sources

Research / How and what? / Dramaturgy / Theory / Curiosity

Contract / Performance space

Self-expression

Abstract dance

Interview / Unfinished business / Questions / Principles

Financial limitations / Studios / Funding applications

Collaboration / Audience

Preparation / Meetings / Rehearsal schedule / Heaviness

Originality / Ecology / Paradox

Technique / Parrot on your shoulder / Authenticity /
Dancing / Style / Fiddling

Virtuosity

Specificity

Daily practice

Hoarding / Beginnings

Endings

Keeping it going / Pacing

Change / Dub reggae / Simple material / Desperation

Predictable and unpredictable / Expectation

Stillness and silence

Minimal and maximal

Solos, duos, trios, quartets

Many bodies / States

Parallel Voices

Performance / Principles

Distracting the self / Paradox / Choreography / Performance / Electric guitars

Does it work? / Showings / Mentoring

Narrative / Ballet / Continuity

Continuity / Material / Make six things / Choreography / Flow

Relation

Relation / Time / Rhythm

Time

Counterpoint

Unison

Scores / Studios / Translation / Sequencing / Improvisation

Chance / Empty hands / Gamut of movements / Limitations / Laborious
work / Philosophy

Audience / Facing the front / Facing each other / Confrontation / Humour / Failure

Place or space?

Audience

Hierarchies / Dancer or choreographer? / In it or out of it? / Who owns what?

The marketplace / Earning a living / Administrating the work / Commercial work / Commissions / Academia

Music / Collaboration / Silence

Text

Lighting / Technicians / Collaboration / Costumes / Set
design / Nudity

Filming / History / Collaboration / Mirrors / Human-scale

Titles

How can I simplify all of this?

Forget all this