What are Some tips for memorizing lines for a play?

Answer 1

Hey Padfoot,

I never thought I could memorize 15 minutes of dialog. I started at it by remembering the first word. Then adding the second. Then the third, etc. until I could say it without mistakes (well, occasional).

Then, after that, I added my interpreting of the intonation. Pointing at things for the presentation. I had people watch and critique me. I put it on Tape, and played it over, and over and over and ... well you get the point.

You can do it.

Answer 2

I find that it helps me to memorize the lines in couplets and then go on to the next set of two. Also as you become more familiar hold line burning sessions with your fellow actors. This is where you recite the entire play at a momotone very quickly. If you stumble just keep on going Break a leg

Answer 3

Say you had the line:

"But we've just had a talk with your teachers today, and they didn't have one single good thing to say!" (Mrs. Mayor, Seussical)

I'd repeat the line putting stress on each of the words. So the first time I'd say, "BUT we've just..." Then the second time I'd say, "But WE'VE just..." and so on. I do that for each of my lines, then the next day I do it again, and after a few days I have them learned. But I haven't had parts with lots of dialogue, mostly singing.

If there is a line I am having trouble remembering, but have memorized, I say it in everyday conversation or to random people. The reactions are enough to help me remember to say it when the time comes.

That's my trick, I hope it helped, good luck, and congratulations on getting in!

Answer 4

I am a very visual person, so I like to type or write out lines over and over again until i can do it without looking. then i move on to speaking it aloud and putting intonation, etc into the words once I already have them memorized.

Answer 5

Read the play through, to get the feel of the characters and mood of the play. Then read it aloud with feeling, into a tape recorder. Listen to the tape, while driving, or as you fall asleep. This method has helped me every time.

P.S. You need to say the name of your character, in a monotone voice before each of your lines.

Answer 6

learn it one line at a time... Repeat the 1st line until eventually you comprehend it, then upload the 2d and repeat the two until eventually you comprehend them, and proceed until eventually you're complete. additionally, it enables in case you practice what you comprehend extra suitable than as quickly as an afternoon. This worked for me while i replaced into compelled to memorize Act 2 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet in decrease than each week.

Answer 7

Different methods suit different people, try them out and find the one that is right for you. I usually find repetition a good way. If they are single lines within a duologue then the best way I find is to run through them with your co-actor as much as possible. If its a speech then read through it over and over at first not to memorise but to familiarise yourself with it, understand what the journey of the speech is. Hopefully you'll find that it is a lot easier to memorise the speech once you've understood what you are trying to say.

Answer 8

Here is my technique, it was once told to me by a prominent theatre director/acting instructor and I have done it ever since.

pick an everyday mundane activity, mine was dribbling a basketball, somedays washing dishes. lay the script out and go cover over your lines at the same time you are doing your activity...works for me. the idea I think is to become so familair with them they are almost conversational in nature. Hope this helps

Answer 9

write it on an index card and say it one word at a time for example: if your line was " an eye for an ey and a tooth for a tooth" you would go "an" untill you get it memorized and so on. or you can sing it?

Answer 10

run lines with your costars every chance you get. record one of the runs and listen to it while you're in the car. get a friend or family member to run lines with you at home. get a spiral notebook and write your lines while saying them aloud.

break a leg!