After-School Program Winter 2023

Program Dates: Wednesday Afternoons, January 4 - February 15

Time: 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Grades: 6-8

Instructor: Nicole Ramirez

Cost: $150

I’m not arguing with you, I’m just explaining why I’m right! In Middle School Debate, students will work together to research a topic, write an argument for or against a resolution, and present their case. PRS competes in the Orange County Debate League, and this course will prepare students to compete on the PRS Middle School Debate Team in league tournaments. We will discuss strategies for not only building one's own case but also anticipating counterarguments and responding directly to an opponent's claims. We will also hone our research skills and explore topics with real-world relevance, while practicing good sportsmanship and teamwork. 

Program Dates: Thursday Afternoons, January 5 - February 9 

Time: 3:15 - 5 p.m.

Grades: 9-12* (see below for requirements)

Instructor: Cosmo Cothran-Bray

Cost: $300

For the second year in a row, the PRS Extension Programs is proud to continue its tradition of supporting and training students in Shakespearean performance. During this course, students will learn how to connect their bodies, voices, emotions, and Shakespeare's own words all together. We will practice monologue, dialogue, and scene work, with a particular focus on exercises & ideas presented by word renowned Shakespeare instructor Patsy Rodenburg in her seminal work Speaking Shakespeare. This course is open to students who took last year's iteration; these students will continue developing the skills they utilized there as well. NOTE: This course is meant to continue students' Shakespeare training, not begin it. As such, the course is only open to students who have already studied Shakespearean acting in some formal sense (meaning participation in at least two years of the Shakespeare monologue competition, involvement in a full Shakespeare production, or something similar).

Program Dates: Saturday Afternoons, January 7 - February 11

Time: 12 - 2 p.m.

Grades: 9-12

Instructor: Cosmo Cothran-Bray

Cost:  $300

This course aims to give students a foundation in bladework for the stage and screen. The purpose of this course is to build muscles and skills for students' future stage combat endeavors. We will concentrate most of our work on single-sword rapier training, with some unarmed combat added in as well. The course will run from 2 hours every Saturday during the second trimester. This course is excellent preparation for students who are interested in auditioning for PRS's spring production of The Three Musketeers. NOTE: this course is aimed at training familiarity with the rapier for its application on the stage. This is NOT a fencing course. Students should expect moderately rigorous physical activity, similar to a dance class.