Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Theatre Games or Techniques for Memorization

    Posted 10-04-2017 11:23
    Hello friends, 

    Does anyone have any great theatre games or activities that you employ during rehearsals to help with memorization? 

    Thank you!
    Sarah

    ------------------------------
    Sarah Aanderud Wahlen
    Director of Theatre & Film
    Holy Names Academy
    Seattle, WA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Theatre Games or Techniques for Memorization

    Posted 10-05-2017 11:59
    Word Association circle - Students speak a word somehow associated with the previous word spoken by whoever is next to them. This continues around the circle many times. (Example: Leaf > tree > wood > fire > camp > tent > zipper > jeans > pants --- etc. I emphasize that students are hyper aware of the mental associations between each word (not only their own, but around the entire circle.) Eventually, we start over and repeat the same words in the same order. (I do not forewarn them we will do this.) After we recreate the circle of associations spoken one person at a time, we then recreate it in the same order with every person saying every word. The point is that the words have not been memorized, but connected to a train of thought, which is what I emphasize in line "memorization". Then in scene rehearsals, I emphasize that they pay particular attention to why their character says what they say when they say it (with scripts in hand) for an initial rehearsal of a scene. Then they put scripts down and recreate the scene focusing on why they say what they say (from "memorization"). The scenes are mostly "off book" by the third run.

    ------------------------------
    Keith Burns
    Theatre Arts Director
    Paradise Valley AZ
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Theatre Games or Techniques for Memorization

    Posted 10-06-2017 11:57
    ​There's a great article ("Memory Play") in the Spring 2015 Teaching Theatre. It has a lot of exercises, several of which I've used in class. I think you can search the EdTA database to find it.

    ------------------------------
    Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
    Theatre Department Coordinator
    Fishersville VA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Theatre Games or Techniques for Memorization

    Posted 10-06-2017 18:16
    This may or may not be the proper forum for this question, but the archives of the EdTA publications were mentioned in this strain, so consider me triggered (humor intended).  Am I the only one who finds accessing back issues of our two EdTA journals very glitchy?  I regularly get a message that says "you're not logged in, you are viewing the public preview" or something like that.  But....I am logged in.  I see my picture in the upper right corner and everything.  I am often frustrated by this because, obviously, access to Teaching Theatre and Dramatics are perks of our paid membership in the organization.

    ------------------------------
    Ryan Moore
    Theatre Teacher and Forensics Coach
    Royal Oak MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Theatre Games or Techniques for Memorization

    Posted 10-09-2017 09:48
    Following for my own reference. My theatre 1s are going to start memorizing monologues this week and I'll take all the help I can get!

    ------------------------------
    Heather Cribbs
    Theatre Director
    New Smyrna Beach High School
    New Smyrna Beach, FL
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Theatre Games or Techniques for Memorization

    Posted 10-10-2017 11:20
    Two for you--have the students say their lines quickly while throwing a ball back and forth--it gets them out of their heads.  If they mess up, they have to start again.  

    I also personally use an app called Script Rehearser (Android) to help me learn lines.  There is something similar for I phones available as well.  You can download or type in your lines, and the app will run through them for you, beeping and holding for you to practice saying your lines first if you put it in the settings.  I can run lines while walking, rather than always having to have the script in front of me.  Very helpful!

    ------------------------------
    Ruthie Tutterow
    Director of Fine and Performing Arts
    Greensboro Day School
    Greensboro NC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Theatre Games or Techniques for Memorization

    Posted 04-28-2025 07:57

    I know this is an old post, but I'm going to answer anyway. 

    I will have my students create a pantomime version of their scene (I use this for classes, not full plays) that goes as line-by line as possible. I'll paste my instructions below...

    Look, Ma! No Script!

    Today, you're going to work with your groups to figure out how to tell the story without saying anything!

    This may seem like a backwards way of working towards memorization, but there's a method to the madness! The best way to remember lines is to clearly know the meaning behind them. By getting very familiar with the how the lines are connected to each other and what the character's intention is, it will be easier to remember lines because you're connecting the train of thought.

    Work with your group to create pantomimes that show your scene, as close to line-by-line as possible. 

    • As close to line-by-line as possible
    • Use the blocking you've already created, then add in the pantomime actions
    • Non-word noises will be permitted. For example, screams, grunts, growls, etc.
    • Use exaggerated movement! This will help tell the story, even when we add the words back in.


    ------------------------------
    Laura Maney
    SOA Coordinator
    York County School of the Arts
    VA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content