dddd
DANCE
dddddddddd
Graduating from The California Institute of the Arts in 2011 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance and choreography, Jay Jackson is a skilled choreographer, teacher, and dancer. A Presidential Scholar in The Arts, Jackson performed her original work “not today” at the Kennedy Center in 2007. Jackson is also a YoungArts Silver Winner and returns often to the program to mentor high school students in Miami, Florida. Jackson was most recently seen on So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 & 16 and has performed alongside artists such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Leann Rimes, Miley Cyrus, and Christina Augelara. Jackson’s moves have also been featured on several popular dance YouTube channels including Brian Friedman and DanceON.
Recent Choreography Work
Music Video: Lagoona Bloo - Elle Woods
Lagoona Bloo's latest single, Elle Woods, is an empowering anthem that not only showcases her formidable talent but also delivers a powerful message of self-expression and authenticity. With Laganja Estranja's brilliant choreography, the music video for "Elle Woords" is a visual feast that perfectly complements the song's powerful message, making it a must-watch for Lagoona Bloo fans everywhere.
Dance: YoungArts TakeOne
Three artists, five minutes to rehearse, one take. This is TakeOne. In advance of filming each video, a group of past YoungArts winners are sent key information: a song or script, and a place, date and time to meet. Communicating with one another beforehand is off limits. Once shoot day arrives, the artists get a short amount of time to discuss, then mics are hot and cameras are rolling for the first—and only—take, TakeOne.
Theatre: Miss Step
Miss Step is a heartfelt '80s dance musical comedy featuring a transgender/non-binary cast, live aerobics, stunts, competition, and exercise. This diverse and exhilarating show is a classic underdog story that portrays trans characters as both ordinary and extraordinary people, defying all odds to sing, dance, compete, and dazzle audiences. Miss Step is directed and co-choreographed by Broadway’s Connor Gallagher alongside co-choreographer Jay Jackson. Written by Melissa Li and Kit Yan.
Theatre: Trixie and Katya Live Tour
Jay choreographed Trixie and Katya Live, a variety show tour starring drag superstars Trixie Mattel and Katya. The tour visited 15 countries, 76 cities, with 91 shows, many of which sold out including Radio City Music Hall. Trixie and Katya Live Director Tim Drucker said this of working with Jay: “[She] is one of the greatest choreographers that I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve worked with a lot of the best on Broadway. She’s brilliant.”
Music Video: Trixie Mattel - Hello Hello
“Hello Hello” is a 1960s-inspired musical number influenced by Fosse’s “Sweet Charity”, Gwen Verdon in “Mexican Breakfast,” and TV shows like Brady Bunch and Hullabaloo. Them stated “...Mattel makes her case for pop star status…[with] elaborate choreography [by Jay Jackson and] suave backup dancers.” The video received close to two million views.
Commercial: House of Pride (McDonalds)
Jay Jackson choreographed and performed with a star studded LGBTQIA+ cast in a McDonald’s commercial titled “House of PRide “that ran on the Revry streaming service.
“Aligned with our values, we’re honored to partner with Revry for its House of Pride event, to create feel-good moments that champion equality, unity and progress,” said Elizabeth Campbell, Senior Director of Cultural Engagement, McDonald’s USA. “We hope this event fosters allyship and belonging, while celebrating diverse identities to further a world where all people can feel seen and accepted."
Music Video: Katya - Ding Dong
Katya told ET in an exclusive "Ding Dong” is a “bar-mitzvah barn-burner dance track in the form of a love letter to Ukrainian artist Svetlana Loboda and makeup guru Val Garland.” Choreographed by Jay, the moves range from silly to stark in this bizarre twist on Loboda’s “Boom Boom.” The music video has received over three million views.
Music Video: Alaska - Stun
“Stun” was the second video from Alaska’s sophomore album Poundcake and featured Rupaul's Drag Race alumni Gia Gunn. The song references Gunn’s best lines from her season, paying ultimate fan service to Drag Race devotees. Choreographed by Jay, this music video features a classic “pop, lock, and drop it” style and has garnished over five million views.
Dance Collaborations
Backlit Gallery
In the summer of 2017, Jay Jackson and her partner Kristen Lovell led a dance theater workshop on gender expression with fourteen artists from across the UK and Europe assembling in Nottingham, UK. This four day project culminated in an intimate showcase which explored the gradient on which gender exists in contemporary society. The immersive experience included live vocals, original compositions, and curated set design. “G[END]ER” was presented at the Backlit Gallery and was in collaboration with Kitty Tray and Nottingham Contemporary.
Youngarts
In the fall of 2018, Jay explored the idea of gender expression again with a three week dance residency at YoungArts in Miami, Florida. During this residency, Jay acted as director, creator and choreographer for the project which challenged the traditional ways in which gender is interpreted in a piece titled “[IN]VISIBILITY.” For this project, Jay hired seven dancers, one actor, three singers, a drummer, and a production manager, many of whom were local and some of whom were alumni of the YoungArts program. During her residency, Laganja also partnered with the Pérez Art Museum Miami (Pamm) to present the art of drag for a one-day Poplife Social YoungArts takeover. The event at the world-renowned art museum included an invitation from Jay herself, “Onto Pamm’s terrace to warm up their dance muscles, ‘sissy that walk’ across the space and participate in a fan dance inspired by traditional Japanese performance.”
Laganja’s Dance School
In 2016 Laganja's Dance School, an international high-heels masterclass and confidence workshop, was founded with partner Kristen Lovell. The master class has been held in dozens of cities across the United States and around the world including Manchester, Nottingham, London, Newcastle, Dublin, Lima, Mexico City, and Amsterdam. The class includes an extensive warmup/stretch, across the floor exercises, and a final combination of original choreography. Dancers and non-dancers are encouraged to express themselves, gain new skills, and feel like a true superstar in this hip-hop oriented jazz funk atmosphere. Class is taught at a professional level but all ages and abilities are welcome!