One of the best questions to ask yourself is: “Why is my character saying this?”[2] X Research source Keep a notebook dedicated to your character notes, so you can reference the information easily. Make sure you have your character workbook with you whenever you’re working on your lines.
Make sure you can write on your script before highlighting anything! If you can’t highlight your version, try scanning it or copy your lines down by hand onto another sheet of paper.
Try to learn one line, one scene at a time. As you get more practice in memorization, the better you will get at it. Remember that you will have to put in more effort and time the more lines you have. Plan accordingly. Accordingly, others around you should understand you will have more lines as a principal part than say, a member with five lines in the play. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/2/29/Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-4-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-4-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/2/29/Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-4-Version-3. jpg/aid1265988-v4-728px-Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-4-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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Make sure you write freehand, since typing is not as effective for triggering memory. [5] X Research source By writing your lines out, you’re also using a different part of your brain than the part that gets used when you hear things aloud, so it can be a great addition to your memorization process.
Alternately, you can go for a walk outside after memorizing a chunk of lines. Actors believe walking engages muscles that help with memorization. [8] X Research source Practice your lines before going to bed. Your mind will actually still work on your memorization while your sleep!
For example, you could say “Today, I’m going to learn two pages of lines and then tomorrow I’m going to run through those lines again and do another two pages. ”
Think the thoughts your character would be having during the scene so you can connect with your lines more. [12] X Expert Source Lesly Kahn, MFAActing Teacher & Coach Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
You can choose to record the whole play, or just your lines. If you record just your lines, make sure you also record the cue line! Apps like Line Learner and Lines2Memory can make the recording and playback process easier. Another strategy is to include a pause after each line so that you can say the lines back to your recording. For a more advanced version, put the pause before the line, and then listen to see if you got it right. Make sure you make your pause long enough for you to say the line!
Make sure you don’t get too dependent on your friends, or you might never memorize your lines!
How many times you rehearse per day depends on how many lines you have and how comfortable you are with them. If you’ve had those moments of panic on-stage, rehearse your lines several times each day. If not, rehearsing just once is fine.
While you are aiming for accuracy, remember some productions will not care if you are not entirely perfect. Example: a professional troupe performing Hamlet will require a precision higher than a production of “Grease” at a high school musical. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/e/e4/Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-18. jpg/v4-460px-Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-18. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/e/e4/Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-18. jpg/aid1265988-v4-728px-Learn-Lines-for-a-Play-Step-18. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.
0/">Creative Commons</a>
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