Characterization
I put a graphic organizer (the "witch's hat" type with opening, development, climax, denouement, and resolution) of the plot on the black board, and we use it to analyze the development of the characters in the play. I add the memorable passages to the outline as each character is discussed.
On occasion I alter this activity by distributing the graphic organizer to the students and inviting them to place the memorable lines where they think they fit in the structure of the plot. We compare our efforts as I relate the tale.
It is easy to determine students' understanding of the material that has come before by their ability to correctly match the memorable lines to the speakers of these passages. I believe students really start to understand the importance of language at this point. Only certain words will do for certain characters. They start to really care about the language. When the actual production is viewed, students demonstrate a "shock of recognition" when they hear lines that are especially familiar to them.