Learning Lines
As it’s half term and there has been minimal activity for the youth theatre (I say minimal because excitingly Gemma and Sam were rehearsing Midsummer Night’s Dream at Clark Hall this week meaning we didn’t shut down altogether) I decided to make this week’s blog a practical one. This “guide to learning lines” was inspired by the response I got last night in, “Maybe This Time,” rehearsals when I asked all the actors to have the first half of the play learnt by next week. The response was as ever mixed…the pleased/slightly smug faces of those who have already learnt them…the almost audible inner groan of those who dislike learning lines or can’t see when they’ll have the time and finally the look of absolute panic or absolute defeat for those who find the whole thing a seemingly impossible challenge. For the last two categories of actors here are some top tips…
1) Say your lines out loud to yourself and in your head. Each way places them in different parts of your brain.
2.) Write them out; it puts them in yet another part of your brain.
3.) Analyse your character's wants, needs, actions, and motives in each scene/section of a scene. It helps to place them in context in your brain.
4.) Learn your lines as you rehearse, because movement can cue you to your lines. It plants them in still another part of your brain, so if you get chance move through the staging as you’re learning them independently.
5.) Record the script, including cues, and rehearse with the recording.
6.) Get someone patient to read in your cues. Plead. Beg. For me it’s one of the best ways
7.) Cover the lines while you go through them.
8.) This is an odd one but you know…it might work for some…”Memorize alphabetic letters to recall the order of a string of words. For example: "He is handsome, clever, and manipulative." (H-C-M)”
9.) Over-learn your lines to the point that they are second nature. Then you can rely on them.
10.) Concentrate on your objectives. Keep your inner monologue going and don't get side tracked when rehearsing/ while performing.
11.) Recite lines in a purposeful, truthful way. It deepens their place in your memory.
12.) Get someone to underline the lines you’re making mistakes with in run-throughs, and study them later.
13.) If you have gaps in between rehearsals go through them before you a rehearsal. Learnt lines need refreshment.
14.) Get enough sleep.
15.) A recent study found that caffeine slows blood to the brain, affecting memory. (Bad news for all those Red Bull etc addicts)
16.) Drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day. We are a liquid system. Water is lubrication for the brain. Most of us are dehydrated at some time during the day. Many of us are always short of water.
17.) Start learning your lines as soon as you get the script. Don't wait for the first rehearsal or the dreaded off scripts deadline.
18.) Learn to control your fear, anxiety, and tension; recognize when you are tense. Tension will always inhibit your brain and therefore your ability to remember
19.) Be confident and positive (but not naïve, you will have to commit time to getting them done)
You’ll notice there are only 19…to make it up to a nice round 20 perhaps you could comment and add what you think should be number 20…or you could nominate the most useful of the ones I’ve listed…or highlight one you’d hadn’t thought of but you think might be useful…you get the general gist…
1) Say your lines out loud to yourself and in your head. Each way places them in different parts of your brain.
2.) Write them out; it puts them in yet another part of your brain.
3.) Analyse your character's wants, needs, actions, and motives in each scene/section of a scene. It helps to place them in context in your brain.
4.) Learn your lines as you rehearse, because movement can cue you to your lines. It plants them in still another part of your brain, so if you get chance move through the staging as you’re learning them independently.
5.) Record the script, including cues, and rehearse with the recording.
6.) Get someone patient to read in your cues. Plead. Beg. For me it’s one of the best ways
7.) Cover the lines while you go through them.
8.) This is an odd one but you know…it might work for some…”Memorize alphabetic letters to recall the order of a string of words. For example: "He is handsome, clever, and manipulative." (H-C-M)”
9.) Over-learn your lines to the point that they are second nature. Then you can rely on them.
10.) Concentrate on your objectives. Keep your inner monologue going and don't get side tracked when rehearsing/ while performing.
11.) Recite lines in a purposeful, truthful way. It deepens their place in your memory.
12.) Get someone to underline the lines you’re making mistakes with in run-throughs, and study them later.
13.) If you have gaps in between rehearsals go through them before you a rehearsal. Learnt lines need refreshment.
14.) Get enough sleep.
15.) A recent study found that caffeine slows blood to the brain, affecting memory. (Bad news for all those Red Bull etc addicts)
16.) Drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day. We are a liquid system. Water is lubrication for the brain. Most of us are dehydrated at some time during the day. Many of us are always short of water.
17.) Start learning your lines as soon as you get the script. Don't wait for the first rehearsal or the dreaded off scripts deadline.
18.) Learn to control your fear, anxiety, and tension; recognize when you are tense. Tension will always inhibit your brain and therefore your ability to remember
19.) Be confident and positive (but not naïve, you will have to commit time to getting them done)
You’ll notice there are only 19…to make it up to a nice round 20 perhaps you could comment and add what you think should be number 20…or you could nominate the most useful of the ones I’ve listed…or highlight one you’d hadn’t thought of but you think might be useful…you get the general gist…
the red bull things gonna be a problem as i have night shift
ReplyDeleteso's the sleep
i'll try the others