Any tricks for memorizing lines?

Question:

Any tricks for memorizing lines?

i go to a camp where we do plays every year. this year, we are doing the wizard of oz and i am dorothy. i have over 100 lines and i was just wondering if anyone had any tricks or advice to memorize all of them. thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Start by reading through the script until you completely understand the plot.

Read the line twice. Cover it and say it twice. Read it once more to check if you got it right. Go through a scene like this a few times and move on to the next scene.

Repeat the previous tip, but with the blocking as well.

After you have practiced several time so you know what you need work on, write down all the scenes you have lines in. Mark the ones that give you the most problems and practice them extra.

Write down your lines in the scene, in order, including blocking and cues, from memory. Check if you're right.

Give your script to a friend. Have your friend read the other character's lines and prompt you if you need it.

Tape record all your scenes. Read the other character's lines, but leave a space for your lines. That will help you memorize your cues.

Make index cards of your lines--put your cue on one side, your line on the other--and put them all in order. These are really helpful because you can take them with you and practice them wherever you go.

If you usually remember the words to songs easily, try this. Set your lines to a beat (or a song if you like, but don't use a peppy tune for a sad scene!) and practice singing or chanting them that way. do this until you have the "song" stuck in your head, then say your lines as you normally would.

Instead of singing in the shower, practice your lines.

Cramming to learn your lines won't help you to remeber them through the entire run of the show. Practice at least 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night every day you can, and more if you have a major part.

Once you've memorized your lines and are rehearsing without your script, run through lines as fast as you can with the rest of the cast.

One of the most important things to help you remember your lines is to stay in character! If you know who your character is and what they are doing, you should have almost no trouble remebering your lines--and if you get stuck, if you're in character it's not too hard to ad lib something pretty close.

What you need to do is have your lines out infront of you so that you can see them clearly. Then you read your first line outloud. After you are done, then close your eyes and repeat it without looking. Then read the next line outloud. HERES THE CATCH. then you have to close your eyes, repeat the first line you said and then say the second line. after a while all of the lines will just start naturally flowing out of your mouth.

Take the first scene of the play and read through it a couple times. Then, take Post-It Notes and cut them into strips, just long enough and thick enough to cover your lines, not your cues. Then, you can read your cues and say your lines out loud. If you need to read the line, just lift the non-sticky side of the Post-it. If you find you need frequent reminders on a line, write a hint on the Post-it and cover it with another. Then you can get a hint, then your whole line if you still don't remember.

Highlight. Emphasize your lines in the script with a highlighter or underline with a brightly colored pen. Use a different color to mark your cues (the lines or actions just before your line). Mark stage directions with another color or don't mark them at all.

Index Cards. Use index cards, the line on one side the cue on the other. Punch a hole in the corner and put stack on a ring, to keep the lines in sequence. Keep the cards with you at all time, when you have a moment, pull out the cards and work on the lines.

Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more you'll find it easier and easier, more fluid, and natural. In rehearsal, each line will be imbued with meanings and objectives which will also help your memory. At this point, the Stage Manager can usually keep an eye on the script and call any mistakes to your attention.