She is the author of “Puro Arte: Filipinos on the Stages of Empire,” published by NYU Press. Professor Burns is also a dramaturg. Her recent collaborations include David Rousseve's Stardust, R. Zamora Linmark's But, Beautiful, and TeAda Productions’ Global Taxi Drivers' Project. She has participated in several projects focusing on Asian American theater and performance, including attending the 2007 World Social Forum as a member of a U.S. artist delegation and as a reviewer for the National Asian American Theater Festival in 2009 and 2011.