An accomplished horseback rider, Zoe Reardon balances her studies at Southern Methodist University with various creative pursuits. Passionate about the theater, Zoe Reardon spent time teaching basic theater skills to kids as a theater instructor at the Alliance Theater summer camp in Georgia.
Whether you’re a novice or experienced actor, memorizing lines is a regular part of your life. If you find yourself struggling with memorization, try some of the following strategies:
Write It Out
When you write out your lines by hand, your brain will associate the act of putting them down on paper with seeing them on the page. However, you shouldn’t write down other people’s lines, which could prove to be a distraction.
Run Your Lines with Someone
You likely already know that practice is essential when it comes to memorizing lines. But if you are mostly practicing alone, you may be impeding your progress. Finding a partner is beneficial in several ways. Not only does it hold you more accountable for your lines, it also gives you an opportunity to get feedback about your delivery from someone else.
Move Around
Physical movement improves your brain’s ability to memorize and recall lines. Because of this, it’s good to move around while you practice saying your lines. Any sort of movement improves memory, but you get the added bonus of practicing your stage movements if you physically act while you speak.
