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A fundamental function of an actor is reciting your lines accurately and repeatedly. The director and your fellow actors will thank you for getting your lines right every time during rehearsals, shoots, or performances. Not to mention lighting operators who may rely on certain words you say for lighting cues. Learning lines is an inevitable part of being an actor, but sometimes it can be a challenge so you might need a little extra help. Here are some of our tips to help you learn your lines more effectively:
1. Read the entire script
The first thing you should do when working on a new project is the read the whole script – not just your parts. Understanding is key to learning. You’ll want to have a better idea of the overall context and story as well as the other characters.
2. Highlight your lines
Make sure to highlight all your lines to make them more prominent. These are the most important lines in the script for you so make them stand out. This makes things easier visually when memorising or rehearsing – especially when you need to locate certain lines quickly.
3. Read your lines out loud
You’ll be speaking these lines out loud a lot so you better start getting used to saying them rather than just reading them. Reading them aloud rather than in your head will speed up that memorisation process. You’ll also be able to quickly identify any linguistic issues or tongue twisters. You can also try reciting your lines out loud while standing, walking, or doing something physical as this can help memorisation as well.
4. Write your lines out by hand
To really hammer the lines home try writing them out. This is especially good for memorising longer monologues. It’s another way to engage the brain other than just reading or speaking.
5. Run your lines with a partner
A great method for learning lines is to have someone else speak the lines of the other characters in the scene. This should ideally be another actor who can provide more informed feedback than a non-actor.
6. Regular practice
Don’t just try and memorise everything in one go – break up your line learning into smaller sessions throughout your day or week. Do some line learning in the morning and then again in the evening or whenever you have a bit of free time. If time is of the essence and you need to cram urgently, just remember to take breaks and allow things to process and sink into your subconscious.
7. Prioritise your weak areas
Lines that you already know require less attention than the ones you don’t know quite as well. Good practice should feel difficult at times as it means you’ve found an area that you haven’t nailed yet. Identify these problem areas then cycle them over and over. Learn lines in short sections rather than from the start of the scene every time. If there are certain words or phrases that you struggle to pronounce then try articulating them slowly at first then speed it up over time until they feel easier.
8. Make use of apps
In this brave new world of technology there are plenty of apps available to help you learn your lines such as Run Lines With Me on IOS or Script Rehearser on both IOS and Android. Both of these employ voice recording features and memorisation techniques to help you learn and practice.
9. Make audio recordings
Back in the day actors would use a dictaphone but now you can simply use your phone. When rehearsing with a group or partner make sure to record the spoken dialogue to listen back to later. You can even listen to this on repeat whilst cooking or commuting to get more used to all the lines and scenes. If rehearsing by yourself try speaking the other characters’ lines then leave gaps when you’d be speaking. Then you can speak your lines for real when listening back.
10. Learn your cues
You don’t need to memorise every line that isn’t yours but it helps to learn any line that comes right before one of your lines. You’ll want to at least know where a previous line finishes and gives you your cue to speak. This will help your readiness when delivering a line and will prevent any unnecessary gaps in the flow of dialogue. It will also help your delivery and responses to feel more natural if you’re actually listening to the other actors in the scene.
11. Keep testing yourself
Set little challenges for yourself when learning lines by constantly testing and quizzing yourself. Don’t move on from a particular part until you ace it every time. You can make use of notes and flashcards or go back to basics with the old “look, cover, write, check” method – a tried and tested memorisation technique. You may remember it from primary school when learning spellings.
12. Try a mnemonic device
A mnemonic device, or memory device, is a kind of brain hack that helps you store information. This can include creating an acronym from the first letter of each line or assigning colours to different lines or sections. Try and think outside the box and see what works for you.
13. Put extra time in if you’re dyslexic
Actors with dyslexia are just as capable when it comes to learning their lines – they just might need to put in a little extra time and work to get there. Try to break lines up into smaller parts or you can try putting the script into a Word document and enlarging the text or changing the font to something that works better for you. Also remember to utilise apps and voice recording features if hearing the lines is easier than reading them.
14. Practise over and over
It may be cliché but practice really does make perfect. Whether it be music, sport, or line learning – the more you do something the better you get. Even when you think you know it all and have done enough, keep doing more.
15. Enjoy it
If you truly enjoy drama and the acting process then menial tasks like learning lines won’t feel like a chore. After all, if you do what you love you’ll never have to work again. Always remember the reasons why you’re learning those lines and try to have fun with it!
Learning lines is a crucial part of being an actor and we’re here to help you develop essential acting skills like this. At The Bridge Theatre Training Company we provide comprehensive acting training to help you learn everything you need to know to be the best actor you can be.
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