Learning lines is one of the least fun parts of a rehearsal process. Nonetheless, it is necessary, and it is therefore necessary for actors to figure out ways to improve at it.

Working on lines with a partner can make the memorization process much more entertaining. Though we sometimes must inevitably practice alone, there are a variety of ways that we can work on lines with a partner… and a variety of ways that are much more beneficial than merely reading the scene back and forth a number of times.

1. Get on your feet

Instead of simply speaking the lines, get up and move! Practice your blocking, or experiment with adding your own movements for the sake of rehearsal and memorization (just don’t do these in performance unless your director approves them).

Adding movement is helpful because it forces you to pay more attention than you would if you were merely reading. Further, combining motion and words helps you memorize the verbal and kinesthetic material, both separately and as a combined whole.

Getting up is also a great way to wake up a long, sleepy practice session. Many of us spend our whole days sitting: we could all use a little more movement!

2. Do a “Lightning Round”

Try reading the lines as quickly as possible. Speak fast but clearly, enunciating every word and being sure to deliver the lines accurately. Try not to leave any space between the lines, if possible: as soon as the other person finishes speaking, jump in with your own line. Omit the acting and dramatic pauses and merely get the words out as fast as possible.

Rehearsal by rote (ie, by many repetitions) is not always effective. We learn better by varying how we engage with the material. Plus, reading a scene over and over takes time– it may not be a very efficient method of memorization. This technique speeds up the process and introduces some novelty to the exercise. Our brains love novelty! If this practice gets stale, you could also do the opposite and try reading the lines very slowly, taking your time and fully chewing each thought. (If you director keeps telling you to slow down while speaking, maybe this latter exercise will be more beneficial for you.)

After you’ve rehearsed a scene a number of times, actors tend to reach a stumbling block where they know the line, but sometimes fumble with the recall. Lightning rounds can train you to keep up the pace and get past the awkward “wait, I know I know this” phase.

These kinds of rehearsals are also great because they can be fit into the minutes before rehearsal, or before a scene entrance. This brevity and flexibility makes for a valuable tool.

3. Try a “muppet run”

If the memorization process is getting stale and everyone needs a pick-me-up, it might be time for a muppet run: ie, perform the lines with as much over-the-top acting as possible. Channel a cartoon character, or a cheesy soap opera star, and overact everything.

The result is usually hilarious and plain old-fashioned fun. Since memorization can become quite boring, finding a way to sprinkle some fun into the experience helps keep it palatable. You might try reading the lines like specific cartoon characters (try a random generator and do your best impression), or merely as ridiculously as you possibly can.

Muppet runs are especially useful at the end of a rehearsal process, when the lines are more or less down, but starting to lose some of their luster. Practicing like this can help you find some new and unexpected emotion in the words. Or, it might just be a good time– and that’s good, too!

4. Sudden death

You can turn running lines into a game where someone is eliminated whenever they skip a line, change a word, add in fillers like “um” or “uh,” paraphrase, or have to think too long about what comes next. Those who aren’t eliminated may win a prize (like a piece of candy) if they get to the end of the scene without any mistakes.

Pro tip: “eliminated” people should still stay in the scene, as actually removing them from the reading wouldn’t help them very much with memorization. Still, being “eliminated” and not winning that piece of candy is a motivator to make sure your material is solid!

Like a muppet run, this practice introduces some fun to the process, and the pressure of the game can also encourage some unconventional readings. It probably isn’t the most efficient practice tool, and you’ll certainly have to use it in conjunction with others. Nonetheless, it’s worth a try!

5. Try trading roles

Trade characters with whoever you’re reading with. If you’re working in a group, try rotating so that each person is reading as the character of the person sitting to their right or left.

This might sound like a counterintuitive process, and some actors certainly may find it more distracting or confusing than beneficial. If you’re struggling to remember when your lines are, reading the other lines aloud might help you find some insight about why your line follows that cue– and hearing someone else say your line might help you understand a connection between them, too.

Again, the brain loves novelty and variety. If you’ve been doing a lot of boring memorization, try this to mix up the process and gain some new understanding.

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There are infinite ways to add new interest to your memorization process, and an infinite number of strategies actors have done so. It’s important to try new ones so you can figure out what works for you! Try some of these with your friends, and don’t be afraid to experiment with any new ideas that come up, too.

If you have any strategies you’d like to share, please drop them in the comments!

Rehearsing alone? Check out my article on solo line-learning strategies!