Q&A for How to Learn Lines for a Play

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What preparation can an actor do before rehearsals begin?

Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach
Lesly Kahn is an acting teacher and coach based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and owner of Lesly Kahn & Company, Actor Training, which focuses on preparing actors for employment in film, television and theatre. With well over 30 years of experience, Ms. Kahn has coached hundreds of actors who have become household names. She also ran the BFA Program in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College, and worked in television as well as New York and regional theatre. Lesly holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA from The Yale School of Drama.

Lesly Kahn, MFA

Acting Teacher & Coach

Expert Answer

Start by reading the entire play so you understand what happens and how the other characters relate to yours. Then, find your character's goals and motivations. Trace them throughout the play so you can determine how your character would act.

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Question

How do I make acting more realistic?

Lesly Kahn, MFA
Acting Teacher & Coach
Lesly Kahn is an acting teacher and coach based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and owner of Lesly Kahn & Company, Actor Training, which focuses on preparing actors for employment in film, television and theatre. With well over 30 years of experience, Ms. Kahn has coached hundreds of actors who have become household names. She also ran the BFA Program in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College, and worked in television as well as New York and regional theatre. Lesly holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA from The Yale School of Drama.

Lesly Kahn, MFA

Acting Teacher & Coach

Expert Answer

Imagine the thoughts your character would be thinking and evoke the emotions your character would be feeling. This will help you deliver your lines with more conviction and authenticity.

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Question

I'm doing Shakespeare and the words just spill out of my mind. They won't stick and I don't know what to do. Any advice?

Community Answer

Rehearse the lines in your head over and over and over again until you're sure that you have the line(s) down. Practice either in a quiet place where you can concentrate, or work with other people you are doing the play with.

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Question

What's the best thing to do if I literally have a day to learn a page of lines?

Community Answer

If you study them then sleep, you will remember the lines better. This works because while you sleep, your memories will be moved into long-term storage.

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Question

I find it hard to practice it when the other people in my play aren't there so I know when to say my lines. Any tips?

Community Answer

A good idea is to remember their lines that lead into yours, as well as yours, or the first and last words of their sentence. This will be sufficient to give you the lead-ins you need to be aware of to trigger your lines.

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Question

What if I forget my lines in the real thing?

Community Answer

Then you would just have to improv and make up a line that would make sense in the situation, not making your mistake obvious for the audience.

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Question

I'm in a show that's a mystery and I can't let anybody know what happens. I can't run lines with my family and the friends I'm doing it with are often busy. What should I do?

Community Answer

Practice lines in front of a mirror, or find some other cast members who also want someone to practice with.

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Question

Will writing down my lines help?

Community Answer

Yes! It will be even better if you write your lines out by hand rather than typing them up on the computer.

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Question

What should I do if the other people in the play forget their lines?

Community Answer

It might be a good idea to memorize the entire script if you can so that you won't need to rely on other people for your cues. Or you could just improvise your way through the scene - it's not all about the lines.

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Question

How do I talk louder? No matter how much I try, people keep saying my voice is too soft.

Community Answer

Before you start speaking, imagine you are trying to say your lines to people who are a mile away.

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Question

I find it easier to learn my lines when actually rehearsing them, are there any tips you have for overcoming that?

Community Answer

Here are a couple of suggestions. 1. Get a friend or family member to stand in for other actors and "rehearse" while learning your lines. 2. Read them repeatedly and do whatever blocking you already have as you do. 3. Read your lines before you go to bed. 4. Write your lines on flash cards having the cue line on one side and your line on the other. Try to say your line just by reading the cue line. 5. Figure out your learning style. If you don't learn just by reading, look for another way (5 learning styles: Reading, Writing, Hearing, Seeing, and Hands-on).

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Question

What if I am playing a traditional local character?

Community Answer

Learn as much about the culture your character is from. Write a personal biography about the character. If you need an accent, look for resources online.

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Question

In my school play I am acting as Lady Macbeth, even though I am a boy. With my partner, how do I get her body language at the banquet?

Community Answer

It's actually quite interesting to be a different gender to the character you're playing, because it gives you a chance to imagine what it would be like to be a different person! My advice would be to ask around, what I mean is you could ask some girls you know, it may really help you get a general idea about playing the part!

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Question

If I have to say a line with a strong accent, should I learn the line before applying the accent?

Community Answer

You should do whatever you're comfortable with, but I would recommend memorizing the lines before attempting to add the accent.

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Question

What does "learn lines dry" mean?

Community Answer

It means learning your lines without blocking (where you are on the stage during a play or what you are doing).

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Question

It's really hard learning when to say your lines. Do you have to learn the other person's lines so you can be sure?

Payton Maguire

Community Answer

I have been in quite a few plays, and I find that sometimes it helps to memorize the page that you are queued on. That way you know exactly when to say your lines.

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Question

Will it be hard for me to memorize my lines if I'm a forgetful person?

Community Answer

If you work hard, it shouldn't. Spend time on your lines every day and run them with a parent or friend. Read them over and over until they become second nature.

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Question

Can listening to music help me learn my lines?

Community Answer

It completely depends on your learning style(s). Some people find that listening to music can help them concentrate, but other people can find it distracting.

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Question

How can I memorize lines for an assessment with a friend the next day?

Community Answer

Simply read over the lines out loud repeatedly. If your friend is available, practice with them so you'll get a feel for how things will go the next day.

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Question

Can I make lines up?

HumanBeing

Top Answerer

Some stage performances include improvisation. If the rest of the people involved in the play are okay with actors making up lines, then go ahead. Making up line when the rest of the actors and the production team are not okay with it is bad. You could potentially ruin the whole play if a specific line is a cue for a stage effect that's crucial to the plot.

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