John-William Watson is a freelance, Leeds based, choreographer, director and dancer.

After graduating from The Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp in 2019, they swiftly carved a path for themselves creating critically acclaimed, surreal, self-described ‘dance-plays’ - often exploring the interplay between science fiction, dark-comedy and contemporary dance.

Watson has previously received commissions from organisations such as Sadler’s Wells, Messums West and The Riley Theatre. They were a Young Associate Choreographer at Sadler’s Wells 2020-22, Northern Connection Artist 2021/22, and Messums West 4x20 Artist 2023.  

In recent years Watson has begun performing in their own work and for UK based dance artist Beth Emmerson. Their catalyst for performing began with their first solo company work ‘Why This Chair Does Not Exist’ in 2023; which has since toured nationally and internationally. A slap-stick, surreal character portrait exploring an individuals relationship with consciousness and mortality; hued by the worlds of Buster Keaton and Jacques Tati. 

They have presented work at Sadler’s Wells Main House UK, Sadler’s Wells Lillian Baylis UK, The Riley Theatre UK, Birmingham Hippodrome UK, Pavilion Dance South West UK, Messums West UK, Bartholomew Fair UK, Teatro Vascello IT, Noorderlicht Festival BE & Théâtre Basse Passière FR.

Outside of their choreography work Watson has worked as a mentor for young choreographers, both independently and for One Dance UK’s Young Creatives programme. They are a member of the National Youth Dance Company team, as pastoral support in the company support team and as a facilitator across various projects, most recently within NYDC’s nation wide schools programme.

Watson continues to explore different meeting places for their work outside of their company, sharing their practice/ creating work with: Phoenix Dance Theatre, Company of Elders Sadler’s Wells, Mind the Gap, Dance Syndrome, FABRIC C.A.T, NSCD C.A.T, NSCD, Phoenix Dance Theatre Youth Academy & Dance Arts Faculty Roma.