Is there some special method to remembering an entire play or movie without having to refer to your lines? I can barely remember one paragraph of lines to the tee, let alone hundreds of pages of lines. Thanks!
In: 70
Ex actor here, and Actors Equity Union Member for 15 years (sister of SAG union for stage actors).
Answers so far talk about movie actors using repetition, and no they don’t have to memorize a lot. An AEA actor might receive an offer for a replacement in Broadway show on a Wednesday, start rehearsals the next Monday (typically showing up to the first day of work 80% – 100% off book), then be on stage performing less than 10 days from getting the job.
Repetition which has been mentioned is one small part. We also use our acting methods and context clues. Ie, I can’t ramble off every line I have by myself in a vacuum. But you could tell me almost any cue (a line or action that comes before mine) and I could tell you the line I have right after.
We don’t just memorize our words, we memorize the shape of the action of a play or
musical, our character’s place in it, and what the character feels or wants to express with their line.
We LISTEN. Most stage actors, can tell you a lot of their scene partner’s lines that come right before their own. I can more easily remember WHY my character says every line and if I forget, a good scene partner will make me FEEL some way that helps me remember my line. Sometimes, you’re on stage, your next to talk, and you don’t know your line for a split second. This is when listening becomes important. You say “how did they make me feel? how do i want to make them feel?” and that instantly brings the words back to you.
Stage actors also inhabit a 3 dimensional existence in a space or scene more so than movie actors. So, ie, I know that when i’m in this corner of the stage at the end of the scene, that’s where/when I have this really big line that I yell.
Don’t even get me started on the work some of us do to be understudies or Swings. I’ve been a swing 3 times, though more relevant to musicals. One week, I went on for another ensemble member in my show with 4 hours notice without any rehearsal on stage in that “track”. I could do this because when you rehearse as a swing, you don’t learn the PART, you learn the SHOW. Swings are the apex memorizers, and it’s not JUST repetition.
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