Tips for actors learning lines

Acting and Actor tips for learning lines

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As an actor one of the questions which people so often ask is “How do you learn all those lines?” Everyone has their own methods, everyone has tips and hints which work for them. There is no a sure-fire way to learn lines which will work for everyone, but hopefully one of these tips or tricks might make it a whole lot easier.

For me, I get a grip of the character first, by first rehearsal I will have read the script at least three times: once as impartially as I can, once trying to get a grip on the character, and once reading the lines from my characters point of view. I rarely ever learn lines before I have worked with the director for a while, I want to have freedom and find that once the lines are learnt it is easy to get ‘stuck’ in a way of performing them. Once I have a grip on my take on the character, the director’s take on the character, the other actors voices and faces in my head, and also some muscle memory of where I will be and what I will be doing I find that the lines get learnt very easily as I read and re-read the script with the purpose of learning the lines.

That’s how it works for me, I am sure for you it will be different. Here are some other methods I have come across which might help you to learn your lines.

How to Learn Lines – an Actor Hub Guide

Don’t Give Yourself Deadlines

Having an ‘off-book’ date can create dread in every actor’s mind. If I am working with an actor who is having trouble learning lines, I will never punish or make them feel bad for their struggle. It is just how some people’s minds work. I know that they know that they have to be ‘off-book’ by opening night and I trust that they will be able to do it. Giving yourself a deadline will make your mind worry about that deadline rather than relax and allow the lines to become subconscious.
Relax

Before working on the script try some stress relieving exercises. You need to be able to focus fully on the task at hand and by having a cluttered or wandering mind it will be tricky to concentrate. Its difficult to find time for ourselves, but maybe have a long relaxing bath before looking at your script or get up an hour earlier and do some yoga and breathing exercises and then pick up the script. Being in a positive and relaxed frame of mind will make learning lines so much easier.
Do it out loud

It really does help to read the script out loud when you are learning your lines. Being able to hear your own voice say the words helps embed them in your mind. Also your mouth and tongue get practise forming the words which will help your muscle memory to kick-in. I have even heard of an actor who used to speak her lines out loud in different amusing accents, it wouldn’t work for me, but maybe it will for you? Give it a try, but remember proud and out loud is always best.
Record the script leaving gaps for you

Use a dictaphone or your computer or phone and record the other characters lines leaving suitable gaps for your own lines. Listen back and speak along with yourself, keep practising until you are comfortably off book. This method is great, first you are reading along with yourself, then you start to learn the whole script not just your lines, and pretty soon you will be remembering your lines perfectly. This also means you don’t need to find a friend or lover and drive them crazy with line runs!
Write it out

Writing out your lines can really help. Something about the physical act of having to concentrate and write them down or type them into a computer will just get them into your head that little bit easier. I know one actress who will write all her cue lines on one side of a piece of paper and then write her lines on the other side, it can be really time consuming but so can sitting and reading and re-reading the script and this might just help make learning lines easier.
Make like Olivia Newton John

Get Physical! The lines you are learning need to be ‘performed’ not just read out loud. The earlier you can start linking what you say with how you move when saying them will help massively with learning the lines. The lines will become a physical reality and through the movement and speaking out loud you give them meaning. Learning the lines on your feet really helps to ‘get them in your bones’ because the body will tell the brain what to say.
Give it all a meaning

When your brain is able to turn information into a living, feeling experience you are using your semantic memory and this is perhaps the most useful way of remembering anything. Think about what you are saying and why you are saying it, build up an emotional journey and thoughtful picture of the overall piece or scene. Maybe draw a stroyboard which takes you through the scene, or a mind-map. Anything which helps you to turn the script in to a living and feeling thing in your mind will help you remember those lines.

If you have a method or tip which works for you let us know via Twitter @actorhub and we might add your tip to the list.

BBC actors talk through their tips for learning lines

Try a Line Learning App

Nowadays there is an app for everything and that includes learning lines! Click each title to learn more.

The Line Learner App

Line Learner helps you to learn lines as quickly and easily as you learn a catchy song. Line Learner enables you to record scenes from plays. It allows you to listen to the full recording while you learn your part. You can then select to leave gaps in the recording for you to speak your part aloud. A prompt button is there to remind you of your line if you forget. You can choose to repeat individual scenes, or the whole play. If you are using an ipod you will need a microphone to record your lines.

Scene Study

Scene Study is an incredibly easy way for actors to memorize and rehearse lines for theater and film productions. Created by actors for actors, Scene Study frees you from the script to start actively listening and responding in the scene. By recording your cues lines, you practice listening for them right along with recalling your own.

Once you have a scene set up, you can save time by rehearsing while doing other activities. Combining other tasks with rehearsal enables deeper memorization of your lines and often provides a few unexpected insights to your character.

Getting started is easy. Simply create a production and add characters names for the lines you wish to create. Then record your lines and the lines for the other characters in the order they occur in the scene. You can record the complete lines for your scene partners or just the cue lines. Then start rehearsing! Choose the character you wish to rehearse by muting them during playback and enjoy your own portable scene study partner.

Rehearse around the house or on the go, rehearse while driving or doing chores. It’s that easy!

Rehearsal App

My favourite, but it needs a pdf or word document of the script to work. Its a great app, you can highlight the script, blackout your lines and record a scene and rehearse along with it. Here is the description:

Rehearsal 2 is the industry standard tool for professional actors to work with television and film scripts, and to memorize their scenes and study scenes for auditioning and performance. Rehearsal has been used by over 50,000 actors worldwide, and has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company Magazine and countless actor-related blogs and news sources.