So how do you guys memorize your lines/monologues?

Personally, I read through, then the second time I start visualizing the sequence of emotions and after I feel I have memorized the 'emotion cues' I try to memorize the actual lines. I have heard one person in another forum say they start at the end of a monologue and go backwards because of the way the brain connects things - seems interesting, but I haven't tried it. Also, I am not sure that would work on a script.

So how do you guys do it? Straight repetition and adding a line? And do you do it any differently when you are memorizing a script vs a monologue?

I have to hear the script, I have a tough time learning lines just by reading. I'll record scenes and monologues on my phone and play them back to myself -- it helps especially for learning cues.

Rachel, what does visualizing the emotional sequence mean for you? Do you have images you associate with certain feelings? This is interesting.

Would love to hear about others' techniques.

Hi Nora, nice to virtually meet you;)

The first time, I just read the monologue, the second time, I try to figure out the feelings the character is having and where and when her emotions change in the dialogue, without memorizing the lines themselves. Then when I start focusing on memorizing the lines, it just seems easier to bring the lines/emotion together - for me at least.

I heard an actress talk about it on soapnet once, which is where I got the idea. The question was a basic 'how do you remember 70+ pages of script a day?' and she said she memorizes the feelings and then the words are simple.

I have been thinking about investing in one of those tiny digital recorders. I definetly think it's easier to memorize when you hear something vs. when you are reading.

It would also be interesting to see how people memorize a lot of lines in a short period of time.

i record myself! Then I listen to my own voice over and over again and repeat it back line by line. I also retype my monologues and walk around with it so it can get into my body. There is also a technique called taking it off the page have you heard of that one??

Hey Rachael,
I have not heard of that, but you inspired me to google it;) I think I found the book on it at Amazon: 'how to stop acting' by harold guskin. It looks pretty interesting. You can go to books.google.com and read parts of the actual exercise in the book (starting on page 4).
Retyping is another good tip, I have not thought of that.

I record the whole scene on my computer leaving out my character. I then memorize my lines and then act along with the recording.

I read them over and over in a monatone voice. I memorize a line at a time, then a page at a time until the whole script is memorized. I learn my co stars part as well and imagine them saying what they are going to say.

During rehersals I will listen to how they deliver their lines and make adjustments. They can give me their line many different ways and I can repond to anyway as this is well rehersed adding my own flair in what would be a natural way that two normal people would talk. Of course delivery is different depending upon the median

I read and re-read the script/monologue. I learn pieces at a time. When it is a script, I record the other character's lines as well. I say the character's name before I say the line. Then I record my line as well as my character's name. I have a cassette player in my car. When I drive around, I pop in the tape. I listen to the other character's line and then I verbally say my character's line along with the tape.

The other thing I found I need to do is to eventually move around as I say my lines. I found that just sitting and reciting the lines didn't serve me in rehearsal. When it was time to block the scene, I tended to forget my lines because now there was "business" AND saying my lines. Now, as I say my lines, I move about the room doing something just to incorporate movement with the speech.

Also, at some point before I go to set or the theater, my granddaughter will be at my house and if it's something that has no profanity or mature subject matter in it, she will run lines with me. She's so funny; she puts her own spin onto the scene character and that helps me as well to have a real person running lines with me.

In the course of memorizing, learning cues, etc, I began to paraphrase what was going on in my scenes before I learned the lines. One habit quickly enhanced the other.
This helped me to learn lines, yes, and to quickly and deeply conceptualize what was happening in the scene so that if someone missed a line or cue, or skipped a large part and rephrased their own lines, I would respond in a connected way to them within the framework on the scene and get things on track again. Doing a great job with the lines is always good. Doing a great scene is the true goal.

Recording the other character's lines and then acting your part along with the recording is very smart. And, yes, it's important to practice the scene while you're doing something else - cleaning house, fixing dinner, any action that competes with your focus on the lines. The lines need to be down cold, regardless of the distraction.

When I'm first learning a monologue I memorize it in small sections. The reason is that your brain typically recalls only the beginning and end of a word series so taking the lines in small bites is easier. As I get a section down pat, I add another few lines, and then another few lines.

I usually do this in the car during my 30 minute commute to work, which sometimes gets odd looks from other drivers, especially if I'm memorizing something loud, passionate and Shakespearean.

I have some silly memorizing tricks. I believe that we memorize my our muscles (of our mouth) and in our breath (which is attached to emotion).

So, after an initial read through, I lye on the floor, I pick a spot on the ceiling and for every line, I glance at the line take a deep breath in and then say the line releasing it to that spot. It takes a while, but then you are not just SAYING the line, you are really taking in every word. You do not emote any emotions though, you just let the words go...

Then I will write it all out. Just my lines, no one else's. So it looks like one big monologue.

Then I start speed throughs. Start saying the lines as fast as you can. And do this daily. This gets your muscles in tune with where you will be going. And then you don't have to think about it when it comes time to perform.