Tips for Memorizing Lines

What I do is I type out the other person's part and leave spaces where my lines go and then just rehearse them as if that person is saying their lines. I understand you're problem. It is hard when you only have little inserts here and there, and they can get confusing if they don't really have anything to do w/ the previous line. And its just a matter of sitting down for an hour and just hammering out the lines.

I don't mean to be sarcastic here, but I've learned that whenever I have trouble memorizing lines it's because I'm wrong for the part. If the part and I are on the same wavelength, then the memorization comes easily.

The worst time I ever had memorizing anything was when I played Pseudolus (sp?)in FORUM. I had not trouble with the dialogue, but that damned song "Pretty Little Picture" drove me crazy and I flubbed the lyric on opening night. I fully understand why the song was cut when Nathan Lane did the revival.

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I like to write out the script longhand - if I've written the words they seem easier to remember. I find that I note particular rhythms and motifs within a role more easily this way. It also allows me to make notations within the script - questions, research . . . This isn't always comfortable with long roles or texts, in which case I, basically, re-type the script.

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I have also played Pseudolus in Forum, talk about a pain in the ass!

I used to be criticized for this, but it worked for me if I couldn't quite connect at first or didn't have a lot of time. I record the lines of the other people in the scene (in a monotone voice) on a tape recorder, and I leave enough time/space for me to say my lines. This is just for when you're beginning to work and not a good idea when you start getting into rehearsals with real people.

i always say the line over and over and then go down the script with a piece of paper to cover my lines up as I read the other person's lines. It works really well for me. Also try reading it over and over and then writing what you remember. Usually you just have to fill in small blanks.

Live the scene. Exchange meaning not dialogue. If you are living the scene your lines should come to you.

I've only been in a few shows, but I had the lead or a major role each time. What helped me a lot is similar to the suggestion that Glinda2 had. I recorded all of the lines for everyone in the scene including me. It actually helps more if you have a different person reading the other roles. I recorded my own lines too, but I left a few second pause after the other person finished their line. After the pause, I recorded my line. That way when I played it back, I could be saying my line before my recorded voice started talking. I could immediately hear if I messed up the line, because my voice was there on the tape. And if I completely forgot the line, then there it was.
I take a lot of walks, and so I took my tape recorder with me and I knew all the lines in a couple of days.
This is especially helpful in shows where your lines occur at fairly random intervals.