These are some of the things I found work with students having trouble committing lines to memory.
1. Clarify character objectives on lines that won't stick. I used to ask, "What specific thing do you (the character) want to happen as a result of you saying this line."
2. As Diane said, physicality can help. Movement prompts memory. Placing a specific gesture or piece of blocking or business where an actor is having trouble helps, especially if the actor employs that movement every single time they rehearse or run lines.
3. Writing out by hand or typing lines from memory then checking them against the script helps some students. Pushing on through a set of lines when writing or typing, even when unsure of the exact wording, can help an actor solidify the meaning of those lines. Physically correcting the written or typed lines by comparing them with the script can improve accuracy.
4. The actor can try to diagnose why some particular lines are tripping him up. Sometimes the same sequence of words is repeated and can cause a sense of "I've already said that!" Simply noting the fact that phrases are repeated X number of times helps. Highlighting that repeated set of words in a different color works for some.
5. If the actor is freaking out and freezing up, you might try having the actors improvise the scene, then try it again with script in hand or with a stage manager on book. If someone is running lines with the actor, you might have them throw out the words every time he hesitates, with him repeating the proffered words and continuing. We normally want actors to struggle for the words before asking for a line, but a student who has engrained a habit of apologizing when asking for a line and is beginning to believe he will never learn the part needs to be pushed to develop fluidity.
6. Reading over the script immediately before going to sleep at night can be very helpful. Literally immediately before. Going to sleep in the scene allows the subconscious brain to sort through the chaos and make order. Recording lines and listening to them while drifting off to sleep may be even more helpful for some actors.
Good luck!
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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-03-2021 10:34
From: Stanley Coleman
Subject: Tips on Memorizing for Students
Hi, everyone. Does anyone have any good tips for helping a student memorize a very wordy script?
MORE INFORMATION
1. There are 6 actors in this full-length play, and this student has most of the lines.
2. The opening performance isn't until January 21. However, we don't have another rehearsal until January 3.
4. We rehearse Sunday thru Thursday from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
5. I believe the student is trying. He's just having a hard time. He could be overwhelmed by the number of lines.
Of course, I've thought of taking a portion of each evening (30-40 minutes) to run lines with the student.
I welcome any suggestions, especially some of the latest techniques. Thanks
Stan Coleman (he/his)
494 West 10th Avenue
Apt. 406
Eugene, OR 97401
Mobile: 541-300-9600
"When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him."
Bayard Rustin