Spotlites
May 16, 20202 min
Step 1
Read your chosen piece/ characters lines.
Step 2
Read the WHOLE play.
Ensure you understand the context of the piece you have chosen within the play. This will give you the opportunity to understand the character and know where this piece fits within their physical and/or emotional journey.
Step 3
Read your selected piece/ characters lines AGAIN.
This is to make sure you do indeed understand what it is you are saying. If you do not understand a word or reference made, then research it. This will aid in your creation of delivering a believable piece, and you may be surprised from what your research discovers.
Step 4
Copy the piece on paper - WORD for WORD.
Pay really close attention to punctuation. It can be a magical side note from a writer to inform you on how their script is meant to be read. Misplacing a breath, or pause can change the whole meaning of the piece. The same with using a plural when it is a singular that is written.
Step 5
REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION
Keep at it! Recite your lines, with script in hand over and over. It is much more difficult to unlearn something that is in the wrong order, so always ensure you have your script in hand. This will avoid potential errors in your learning.
Step 6
Record yourself.
If you have a whole play or a particularly long piece to learn record yourself reading it. (Ensure it is word for word) Then play it back to yourself throughout the day.
Step 7
REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION
Even if you truly believe you know your lines inside out, it is possible for you to lose them. Continuing to practice your lines is much easier then having to re-learn them from scratch.
Remember - You do not know your lines until you recite them word perfect in performance. Line learning is cumulative. The more you do it the easier and quicker it becomes.
Start with a small manageable amount first and gradually build adding a sentence or two at a time.
Watch the video below to see our session leader Kieron explain the steps.