The SoPA Pod: A Podcast from DeSales University's School of the Performing Arts

Three Professors from DeSales University's School of Performing Arts

A recurring podcast produced and hosted by professors of DeSales University's School of Performing Arts. Each episode features a guest artist from Theatre, Dance, or TV/Film, interviewed by a current DeSales Performing Arts student.

Episodes

  1. Episode One: Jaylene Clark Owens

    06/07/2025

    Episode One: Jaylene Clark Owens

    Cohosts/Producers: K. O’Rourke, Mary McDermott, Aleesa D. Tucker-Parks Guest Artist: Jaylene Clark Owens Student Host: Harley Roach Audio Engineer & Editor: Brianna Thomas Photographer: Perrin Kirby Music: YouTube Studio DANCE In this episode, Aleesa D. Tucker-Parks introduces the vibrant and comprehensive Dance program at DeSales University, one of three dynamic areas within the School of Performing Arts. She discusses the B.A. in Dance, which offers training in ballet, modern, hip-hop, and other styles while integrating performance and academic studies. Learn about our guest artist master classes, performance opportunities, and summer dance intensives for youth and high school students. What You’ll Learn: - Overview of the B.A. in Dance program - Weekly master classes with guest artists - Student, faculty, and guest artist performances; - Youth SDI (ages 11–13) and SDI (ages 14–18) programs - Audition opportunities for prospective students https://www.desales.edu/programs/undergrad/dance https://www.instagram.com/desalesudancedept/?hl=en Upcoming Events: Emerging Choreographers Concert October 23rd-26th TV/FILM In this episode, Assistant Professor of TV/Film Mary McDermott highlights the upcoming Summer Video Institute Program at DeSales (SVI). https://www.desales.edu/programs/undergrad/tv-film https://desales.edu/news-events-arts/youth-programs/summer-video-institute THEATRE In this episode, K. O'Rourke shares about the origins of this podcast: Three faculty members inspired by each others’ specialties, who desire to collaborate interdepartmentally and share with the performing arts community. Theatre Department: https://www.desales.edu/programs/undergrad/theatre DeSales School of Performing Arts: https://www.desales.edu/academics/schools/school-of-performing-arts Courtesy of Jaylene Clark Owens: Website: https://www.jayleneclarkowens.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayleneclarkowens/?hl=en Preorder Penguin Random House children's book, “A Black Girl and Her Braids” https://youtube.com/@jayleneclarkowens https://www.tiktok.com/@jayleneclarkowens https://www.threads.net/@jayleneclarkowens https://www.facebook.com/JayleneClarkOwens/ B-Side Bonus: Performing Arts-bonus, Courtesy of Ellie Higgins, “Taking the Stage”: https://youtu.be/XQFHFhqGzTg Special thanks to Jarret Brown, William Borusiewicz, Joe Biello, WDSR.

    25 min

About

A recurring podcast produced and hosted by professors of DeSales University's School of Performing Arts. Each episode features a guest artist from Theatre, Dance, or TV/Film, interviewed by a current DeSales Performing Arts student.