Introductory notes
Playwright of Neighbourhood Watch, Lally Katz, introducing the main character of the play, Ana (01:03 minutes). YouTube video published by Belvoir (2011). Accessed 17 August 23.
Activity 1 – characters, casting note and locations
Syllabus outcomes
A student:
H3.1 critically applies understanding of the cultural, historical and political contexts that have influenced specific drama and theatre practitioners, styles and movements.
Drama Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2009, p 22.
Learning intention
By the end of this activity, you will be able to analyse the introductory materials of the play to engage in critical thinking to develop an understanding of relevant artistic, cultural, social, political, and personal issues.
Instructions
Read the 'Characters' section at the beginning of your Neighbourhood Watch script and watch the video of Lally Katz introducing the main character of play (01:03 minutes).
Extension – you may wish to read any other introductory material in your edition. For example, some editions have a biography of Lally Katz.
Read the 'Casting note' and 'Locations' information on the following pages of the script.
As a class or in small groups, share your first impressions of the characters, locations and what artistic, cultural, social, political and personal issues might be explored. You may wish to use this list as the basis for study notes for this topic.
Talk about the cover and what it suggests to you visually about the story of the play.
References
Drama Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2009.
Katz, L. 2014. Neighbourhood Watch [play script]. Currency Press.
Katz, L., and Belvoir St Theatre. 2011. Neighbourhood Watch – Katz on Characters [YouTube video, posted 2011]. Accessed 17 August 23.