Any tips on how to learn lines for a play???

Answer 1

If when you go through them in a rehearsal you really concentrate on them every time then they should eventually just sink in. It works with me!

Answer 2

Learn the last few words of your cue lines along with your lines. That way you associate those words with your next line.

Get some one to read your script with you. When you forget a line, don't have them give you the whole thing, just first few words.

If you're having trouble try to visualize your blocking. Even pretend that your living is the stage when you're going over lines. Move around as you would on the stage.

If you have a show with a fairly small cast and you're also working together on the set (like we do in community theatre) line bash while you're working.

Answer 3

Well I either set myself a target like a page of lines a day. I'm an early bird and I don't let myself get out of bed until I've got it word perfect. Or I break it up into little chunks and say them to myself constantly. Even when I'm on the bus I'm thinking them through. Sometimes if I'm really struggling I record them on to my MP3 player and listen to them at least once a day. I also learn them in character as i find it helps me.

Answer 4

Look over the script- read it over and over again.
For me, it helps when I know the blocking- how and where I'm supposed to move for each line.
Ask someone to help you- have them read the other lines and read yours yourself. This especially helps make sure you know your cues.
If there are lines you are having trouble with, read them- again and again.
Split up your lines into sections. (For example, if you have 2 weeks to learn them, and you have 50 lines, then learn 25 each week, and about 4 each day. Thats not so hard!) But, when you learn your new lines, make sure that you practice the old ones.
Good luck!

Answer 5

Initially, I break it down into smaller bits and work from there. Find someone willing to read thru your script with you, it helps alot. It also helps if you try to use your characterization, projection, blocking, inflection, etc whenever you read thru it. Basically never just spit out the lines to get thru them when you're practicing. Always do it like it's a real performance. And if you mess up, try to keep going anyways, because that's what you will have to do during an actual performance anyways, so it's good to get into that habit early. Hope this helps, and good luck.

Answer 6

What I like to do is write it down on a piece of paper, then I turn it over to see how much I know and then I turn the paper over again to see how much I get right and then I do it over and over until I can completely write it down without struggling. This works really well with monologues. If you mess up all you have to do is improvise, at least have an idea of what the scene is about and think about what your character would do in the scene. Ask these questions to yourself and answer them as your character would: What are my goals, what do I want? What am I trying to accomplish in this scene? How can I accomplish it? What's in my way of accomplishing this? Who can help me accomplish this?
Know your character and what's going on in the scenes, and the rest will come naturally. Ok. Good Luck and break a leg!

Answer 7

The easiest way for me, is to have a set date that I have to know the lines by and to read the play over and over before then.I never feel like I have them down until I have the script out of my hand and am doing blocking, but I always do.I mean, at first I forget but by the time we aren't allowed to call for lines anymore I do.It's just as simple as practicing over and over until you get it right.

Answer 8

I start memorizing after I know my blocking. It helps me remember where I am and what I'm saying at the time. I always memorize by writing my lines on paper. I have a muscular memory associated with a visual memory thus making it easier to recall my lines.

Answer 9

i find it easiest to go through it with someone else. if you keep stuffing up on a line, get in a really awkard position that hurts, and stay in it until you recite the line 5 times. hehe.

what play are you doing?

Answer 10

I tape myself starting with all the dialogue mine and the other characters, for me to say along with. Then when I think I'm getting it I do another tape with the other characters lines and space for me to say mine then my line to check if I got it right. This has helped me a lot especially if you don't have anyone to practise with.