I am so appreciative of the exploration that I get to do as a member of HotHouse. We get to explore plays, including ones that are new or still in the process of being written, which is exciting. We also get to explore our bodies and voices through the various exercises that we do and the many guests that we have that come in to lead some of our sessions. It is a place where I can feel comfortable trying new things, and even failing at something, because I’m surrounded by this company of actors with whom I have formed this special bond.
Jaylene Clark Owens is a vibrant and imaginative soul hailing from Harlem, NY and currently living in the Greater Philadelphia Region. She is an AUDELCO and Barrymore award-winning actress, as well as a highly acclaimed poet. Jaylene’s magnetic presence has graced the stage, film, and television. Currently, you can catch her in the role of Rosie, on the Emmy award-winning PBS Kids TV show, “Albie’s Elevator,” as well as in the recurring role of the Clerk on “Law & Order.” Jaylene is the visionary behind the viral sensation, “A Black Girl and Her Braids,” a captivating poetic celebration of Black Women and their hair. Jaylene has turned this celebration into a children’s picture book of the same name, which will be published by Penguin Random House in January 2026. JayleneClarkOwens.com.
