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There are many techniques that people use to learn lines, but there are only a few which work exceptionally well. The best way is to record the lines you need to learn, and play them back to yourself while you attempt to say them, without the use of your script. The more you do this the quicker you will learn your lines.

Another way is to say them to yourself over and over again, starting with a sentence, and gradually adding more each time you go through. The only danger with this is that you will be really confident with the first few phrases, but might not grasp the others quite so easily.

If you are quite musical, it is a good idea to sing them to yourself, as your brain will commit the tune to memory and the tune will help you to remember the words. You could also add actions for each line, for example the line "I'm leaving before we have another argument" could be remembered by motioning a door opening and then an angry face. Eventually you should be able to remember the words without the actions, and you can help this process by eliminating one of the actions for each line each time you go through them.

It is also helpful to practice with a friend, so that you can remember not only your own lines, but the lines of the other actors, so that you know what they are going to say and ensure that you come in at the right time.

If none of the above techniques work you may simply have to reread each sentence until you can finally say them without the aid of a script, although this might take a long time. You could also rewrite your words as writing commits more to memory than reading, or you could make cue cards and gradually use them less for each line until you are able to recite the words without them.

The important thing to remember, is that even if you muck up your lines, the audience won't know (unless they know the play or musical really, really well), and it is quite easy to improvise around your words, as long as you keep the main points in. For example, if the actual line was "That's it, I'm finished with this damn job. I want out, you hear? I quit, I'm not coming back ever again," the main point is that the person is quitting, and not coming back. Another way to say this could be "I hate this job, and you know what, I'm going to quit. I won't be coming in tomorrow." This is a completely different way of saying the same thing, and the audience wouldn't know, and the other actors and actresses would easily be able to continue without much, or any, improvisation.

Learn more about this author, Louise Bossom.
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