How to Learn Lines
Drama is a Dynamic Method of Teaching
I enjoy drama and love writing sketches and plays for Kid’s Ministry. Drama is a dynamic way to teach children about Jesus and the Bible in a way that engages them.
I was introduced to acting when I was a teen and asked to join a Christian Drama Group. We traveled around churches and halls presenting the Gospel and staged street performances. I decided to take drama lessons to improve my acting and my teacher enrolled me in an Eisteddfod. I was performing a soliloquy from As You Like It (Act III Scene II) and arrived at the old hall in borrowed black velvet pantaloons, jacket and hat. It wasn’t until I was standing in the wings, awaiting the adjudicator’s bell, that I realized I could not recall my first line. Or any other line after that. My mind had gone blank. The bell rang. I made the decision to step out on stage and open my mouth. As soon as I did the lines came out! Oh, the relief. Even though the nerves had kicked in I was able to deliver my lines because I owned them. I won a bronze medal.
How to Learn Lines
1. Memorize one line at a time out loud and on your feet. Move around.
2. Keep adding lines until you have learnt each of your lines on the first page.
3. Go over your lines until you are able to say each line easily and without hesitation.
4. Repeat for the second page.
5. Go back to the start of page one and go over both pages until you are able to say each line easily and without hesitation.
6. Return to the beginning of the play after each page is added. Continue to learn the script page by page.
7. Go over the entire play, or scene, until you hare able to say each line effortlessly and correctly.
8. Continue until you are so familiar with the play that you can say your next line, without faltering, to someone firing your cue lines to you at random.
When you are able to achieve this you will ‘own’ your lines. You will not have to think about them or fight for them on stage. And that’s what saved me all those years ago at the Eisteddfod. The language was comfortable in my mouth and natural for me (as Rosalind) to say. When the adjudicator’s bell rang I was able to respond in the moment and the hours spent in rehearsal paid off.