How to memorize lines
You don't need to memorize the whole play. You need your own lines and your partner's cues, the words you come in on. Here are seven steps and an exercise you can start with right now.
You play SHE. Tap her lines.
You can do the same with your own scene: paste it into the trainer.
01 Seven steps
- 1
Read the whole play
Not just your scenes. Then you know what is going on and why your character says what they say.
- 2
Find the reason for each line
A line with a reason behind it is easier to recall than a string of words.
SHE: But I brought coffee. → she wants to make up - 3
Learn your cues
The last words your partner says before your line are your signal. Learn them together with your line.
HE: …I waited twenty minutes.
SHE: But I brought coffee. - 4
Work in chunks
One line, then the next, then both in a row. Then add a third.
1 → 2 → 1+2 → 3 → 1+2+3 - 5
Cover your lines
The old actor's trick: cover your line with a card, read the cue and say your line from memory. If you get stuck, leave yourself the first letters.
SHE: S----, t---- w-- n- t---. - 6
Say it out loud and move
Learn standing up and at full voice, with the moves you'll make on stage. That way you learn the text the way it will sound.
- 7
Space it out
Go over the text after 20 minutes, the next day and before rehearsal. Run the scene with your partner at full pace.
20 minutestomorrowbefore rehearsal
02 Learn a long monologue by paragraphs
A monologue, a talk or an exam answer doesn't have to go in all at once. Take one paragraph at a time and keep the rest on screen as an anchor.
You learn the dark paragraph and keep the others as an anchor. When it sticks, move to the next one.
03 If you use Memorizun
The exercise above works the same way as our trainer. Paste your scene, tap "Whole text" → "Highlight…" and tick your lines. Modes 1 to 3 hide them, and your partner's lines stay grey.
Opens Hamlet's To be, or not to be. Free, no sign-up. Or paste your own scene.
04 Monologues to practice on
05 Questions
How does an actor memorize lines fast?
Learn only your lines, together with your partner's cues. Cover your lines and say them out loud from memory, and if you get stuck, leave yourself the first letters.
Why learn the other actors' lines?
Your partner's line is the cue for your entrance. If you know the cue, you come in on time, and you know the words too.
How do I memorize a long text without getting lost?
Learn one paragraph at a time and add the next only when the last one sticks. Keep the rest of the text on screen as an anchor.