What is the best way that you have found to memorize lines for a play?

First take time to understand what your character is saying and why. Paraphrase each line so you make sure you have that understanding. Then look to the script and determine why your character says that line when they say it. Make sure you associate the essential message in the cue with the essential response of your character. After that, study the actual lines written and see why the playwright has chosen to express the lines in that way.

If you've done this groundwork, you have the foundation to quickly build the lines into your automatic response mechanisms, which is what you want so you can focus on the action of the play rather than worrying about your lines during the play.

When I was in a play, I made the words into a song--using a melody that I liked. For some reason, we always remember the lyrics to songs with no problem. Another technique (time-consuming) but worth it. Speak your lines into a tape recording and just play it over and over again. Say your first line then play it to see that you have it right.

Next, find a friend or family member to read the other parts and without your script--say your lines.

Think about your part and your lines---they have to have some meaning to you. When I was really young I was in a play and had no idea what it was about---therefore, the lines I said were totally pointless.

GOOD LUCK

Read it, read it, read it.

Say it, say it, say it.

Write it, write it, write it.

Once you can write your lines, you know your lines. NEVER paraphrase.

You may interpret your lines until your understanding of them are to your, and your director's, satisfaction, but paraphrasing is an insult to the author, the actor, and the audience.

Once you have your lines down, work on your cues. Acting is reacting. What you say has meaning, both before and after your lines. See the whole picture. Tell the story. An actor takes dark marks on a page and breathes life into them.

Bend the words to your will, make them live, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

I make it come alive and relate it to things I have really said or done. You could take it one scene at a time and just keep looking at it, reading it and writing it out until its stuck in your head if you don't like the other idea. The second idea is a more effective way I think.

The only way I ever memorize notes is to write them out several times.

I've been in that spot before; it's not as hard as some people would think. I just read over them a few times and then just start saying them. And then like if you're at school and you have a locker break you can just say them in your head if you have a free moment.

Good luck!

Just rehearse the play