5 Simple Tips For Memorizing Your Lines

Memorizing lines is often the most tedious job of an actor. And if you’re not naturally good at memorization (like me!) it can be a real pain.

So how do we do it?

Whether you have to memorize a monologue, a scene, or an entire show, here a 5 tips to help you get started.

1. Repetition repetition repetition.

One of the best memorization techniques is repetition. I suggest running your lines as much as possible - when you wake up, when you make your bed, when you eat breakfast, on your morning commute, on the train, on the bus, on a walk, in the shower, at the gym, before you fall asleep, etc. Moving around while repeating your lines also helps memorization.

2. Make some notecards.

If you’re learning a scene, take some notecards to help you practice your lines. On the front of the card, write out your cue line. On the back of the card, write out your line. Repeat this process for each of your lines.

Notecards will especially help you to memorize your “cue lines.” Cue lines are the lines of dialogue that come just before you have to say your line. Sometimes cue lines can be a phrase, a sound effect, a character’s entrance or exit, etc. By knowing the cue lines, you’ll be able to deliver your lines in a timely fashion.

3. Use the voice memos on your phone.

This is for my auditory learners who memorize by ear. There are two ways you can use the voice memo app on your phone to help memorize your lines:

1) If you’re learning a scene, record the dialogue opposite yours and leave pauses of silence long enough to cover your own lines. If you learn by listening and doing, then you’ll be able to replay the memo and repeat your lines in the pauses.

2) If you’re learning a monologue, record all your lines. If you learn by listening, you can play back the memo to help memorize your lines.

4. Write it out.

Write your lines out by hand. Taking the time to write out your lines (vs. typing them) will help slow down your brain and focus your attention. Writing forces your mind to connect to the action of writing the lines down and memorizing the lines. 

5. Take your time.

Unfortunately, there really is no quick fix to memorization. Focus your efforts on taking things slow to avoid paraphrasing. The author wrote the dialogue in such a way for a reason - honor that!

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