How to Easily & Quickly Memorize Your Lines
Before we get into the actual how-to, I need to tell you how I did it before any training (which I so desperately needed).
How the heck I learned/memorized lines before:
read the script over and over and over in my head
read it out loud over and over
learning it in sections
try to recite it back in my head while walking
and honestly, it took me twice as long - but I still do it if I have a lot of time
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Now, I have had many teachers…
…over the last 4 years who have been essential in helping me to memorize my lines easier & faster - which in turn can help you to get into character faster (but that is also another aspect that requires another post down the line)
All from the teachers:
line by line - what happens next? (also the fastest)
helps to connect to the conversation
and to anticipate the natural response based on what you know of the character
Using the dialogue & character notes, develop the character first - memorize second
what is the conflict? - love vs not
what is the want? - to get out vs to stay connected
what is the need? - to be free & let go vs to be understood
From there, you can memorize knowing that person and make sense of why they are doing what they are doing and saying what they are saying.
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Technology has also been a great way to learn your lines.
Especially if you want a simulated conversation when you don’t have another person or a reader to help you. It essentially helps with being able to react when necessary and to be an active listener throughout.
Phone apps (I only have the 1 for Android that I trust - sorry iPhone people - even though you have some on there):
Script Rehearser on Android
(And surprisingly) A Desktop link I found:
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If you want to interact with someone to help you learn your lines, you can do that too!
For the free things:
Get a friend or an actor friend to be your scene partner so that you can work off of them.
OR
You can also join online actor’s Facebook groups
For a paid option:
Join an online group called WeAudition
They have real people online to help you to perform auditions or to help you get better with your lines
Free, Tips or Set Hourly is what people can do to utilize the service (some actors make a small living being a reader on the site)
They also have other aspects of the website I really like:
Meditations for different parts of the actor’s journey
Ad space for Actor’s Side Gigs
Journal prompts
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Memorizing your lines can be challenging, and sometimes a bit frustrating, but I hope this gives you a great idea of how to get those lines in your head so that it becomes like second nature.
