Tips for memorizing lines...

Practice, practice, practice.

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I just repeat until I have it down, starting at the beginning of a scene every time until I get the whole scene down. Do the blocking and say the lines out loud as if you're performing them. Don't close your eyes and do it in your head -- make learning the lines a complete sensory experience and connect your body motions with the lines.

I always knew everyone elses lines in the shows I did. I could never just learn my own lines. No reference point. I don't have any tips, though. Just came easily to me. But, repetition is the key.

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Updated On: 7/14/05 at 05:05 PM

Try to record yourself saying lines. And then listen to it possibly. Just in chunks...as big as you can handle at a time. I don't really have a problem with memorizing, but it helps a lot with memorizing lyrics to a song (listening to it over and over again).

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"Many years ago Angela Lansbury told me that the best time to memorize lines is just before bedtime."

I like that tip. I've always usually done the same thing. Practice as late in the day as possible so that it works its way through your subconcience in its sleep (Or at least it does for me...). It helps when your rehearsals are later in the day, late afternoon or so.

But overall, you just seem to know your lines over time when you work on it for so long. It's like anything. Do it for a while and you pick it up.

Updated On: 7/14/05 at 06:36 PM

"make learning the lines a complete sensory experience and connect your body motions with the lines"

i agree with johnpopa! always learn your lines while up on your feet walking around, even if the scenes haven't been blocked yet. this will make it easier to remember the lines when you do start saying them on stage.

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