Jay Carlon

January - February, 2020

Named Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch in 2020, Jay Carlon is a contemporary choreographer based in Los Angeles whose highly physical work is focused in experimental, site-sensitive dance theatre.

Born and raised on California’s Central Coast, Carlon’s work is inspired by growing up the youngest of 12 in a Filipino, Catholic, and agricultural migrant-working family. In 2016, he formed CARLON. He is committed to connecting his art practice to sustainability and his personal and collective journey of decolonization. Jay’s work has been presented in Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Monterrey, Mexico and now, in Thailand.  

Carlon is also a performer and directing associate with aerial spectacle theatre company Australia’s Sway Pole, where he has performed at the 2014 Olympics, the 2016 World EXPO, and the 2018 Super Bowl. Carlon has also performed with the Metropolitan Opera, and danced for Rodrigo y Gabriela on Jimmy Kimmel Live (choreographed by Annie-B Parson), in Solange Knowles’ art film Metronia (2018) choreographed by Gerard & Kelly, and was appointed Choreographic Associate for Kanye West's opera, Mary (2019).

Carlon conceived “Landlocked” during his/their residency at Bangkok 1899. This collaborative performance is based on his/their multi-cultural experience as a first generation youth growing up in urban America, and speaks to the inherent trauma of being third-culture in a migrant family.

This contemporary dance piece was performed by professional Thai dancers from Bangkok City Ballet, DD Flection and guest dancer, Pakhamon Much Hemachandra at the Bangkok Edge Festival and at Bangkok 1899.

The stage sets and props used for performances in Thailand were designed and built by Space Saloon, a nomadic design laboratory, that also participated in this residency program. All pieces were built with recycled/upcycled materials along with craft objects from the local community. This was complemented by lighting, color and upcycled costumes. Models of this mobile and modular stage build were on display at TCDC throughout Bangkok Design Week, and was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund.

  • Landlocked

    Jay Carlon presented a new piece, titled “Landlocked,” a collaborative dance piece with the Bangkok City Ballet and DD Flection. In Thailand, this work staged on the 8th and 9th of February, 2020 at Bangkok 1899 as well as at Bangkok Edge Festival.

  • Dance Workshop

    During the residency, Jay hosted a dance workshop with Thai students from Satri Julanak School. It was an amazing cultural exhange through dance.