16 replies to this topic

[Lollipopp]

I got this role in my school's production of "The Mouse that Roared" and the part I have has a monologue that is a whole page. HOLY GEEZUS. How am I supposed to remember all that?

[Brennon]

inb4 jcrboy
I do a little theater myself.
A good way is to cut it into sections and remember each section as part of a story.

[Lollipopp]

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely do that.
I'm declaring war on the US, so I have a scroll but knowing our director I'm not sure if he will let me have the script on it.

[Wil]

I don't do theatre. I do sports. I'm more of a fan of theatre. More towards light hearted plays like Cyrano De Bergerac.

[Ali]

Used to do a bit when I was at sixth form.

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely do that.
I'm declaring war on the US, so I have a scroll but knowing our director I'm not sure if he will let me have the script on it.

You're probably better not having it there to be honest. I think it's much harder to deliver something convincingly if you're reading from your script.

[Lollipopp]

I do cross country and I used to do like soccer, softball, gymnastics, dance and iceskating. Those all faded away eventually though. I just started theatre last year and it was so much fun!

Used to do a bit when I was at sixth form.

You're probably better not having it there to be honest. I think it's much harder to deliver something convincingly if you're reading from your script.

Yea, I guess you're right. It's just a monster to look at, and I didn't have any lines last year so I am just nervous.

[WharfRat]

I actually have done theatre for money before! (Though admittedly only twice... the rest of my theatrical career I performed for free.)

I remember my very first role was in... (FUCK... what was it in? This was like 6 years ago or so and was just with my school...) All I remember was it was a 43 page play and 35 pages of it were monologues. Hardest. Shit. To. Remember. EVER.

What I have done in the past is read the play aloud and record it using different voices for different characters. I would listen to my recording several times and would put it into my stereo before I fell asleep at night... Surprisingly, it generally worked.

Your mileage may vary, however.

[jcrdude]

You're probably better not having it there to be honest. I think it's much harder to deliver something convincingly if you're reading from your script.

I wholeheartedly agree. Even if it's not word for word, if you make it your own and get the point across, it's better than a shitty reciting of something verbatim.

And yes, Brennon. You knew I would end up here sooner rather than later

What I have done in the past is read the play aloud and record it using different voices for different characters. I would listen to my recording several times and would put it into my stereo before I fell asleep at night... Surprisingly, it generally worked.

I support this method as well.

[Roxi]

Good luck remembering all those lines. Just keep practicing with a friend or family member and eventually you'll learn it. It will be like learning a song or lines of your favorite movie. Repetition is key.

[HeavenNEarth]

Practice makes perfect I guess, Reciting from script would make it seem very ... idk. Just say what comes into ur mind, as long as its pretty close to the script. good luck

[Boggart]

I've done some performing as well; you just run through it over and over and over Of course usually it's easier when there are other people with lines before you. Page long monologue O.o Good luck

Usually if I had a monologuesque type it'd just be a solo song xD Although a song is much easier than speaking imo :3

[Lollipopp]

Luckily, the only other line that is long is not even remotely close to that to so thank God! All my other lines are short and sweet.
Thanks everyone for your advice.

[Ali]

I've done some performing as well; you just run through it over and over and over Of course usually it's easier when there are other people with lines before you. Page long monologue O.o Good luck

Usually if I had a monologuesque type it'd just be a solo song xD Although a song is much easier than speaking imo :3

So much easier. I did musicals for quite a while, would never have a problem with the songs but even a few spoken lines I'd struggle to remember. I think it's just what you're accustomed to. Most of us know the lyrics to a number of songs without having ever actively tried to learn them but there are very few passages of text that I could recite. I wonder if people who truly love poetry find theatre easier...

It worries me sometimes, there's no use in knowing every word to Blood on the Tracks when I can't remember basic information for my degree.

The only other thing I can suggest is practising aloud all the time. I find it's easier to instinctively know the next line if you get into the habit of saying it, rather than just reading it because you get a better feeling for the rhythm of the passage etc.

[Lollipopp]

Yea we have blocking tomorrow and some other stuff. I'll probably practice monologues with some people, so hopefully after doing that all the time it will help.

[jcrdude]

Yea we have blocking tomorrow and some other stuff. I'll probably practice monologues with some people, so hopefully after doing that all the time it will help.

I also found that blocking REALLY helped with memorizing. Something about associating a specific line with a specific movement makes it much easier.

I'd imagine that would be why songs are easy to remember in the sense that you're associating the words with a tune.

[Lollipopp]

Yea, we did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last year and the oompa loompas (I was one, it was SO fun!) had to dance and sing. However, it was easy to remember cause of the song.

[Boggart]

I also found that blocking REALLY helped with memorizing. Something about associating a specific line with a specific movement makes it much easier.

I'd imagine that would be why songs are easy to remember in the sense that you're associating the words with a tune.

Yeah blocking is very helpful especially when your line has to do with your blocking (so not like walking across the stage and saying line, but your line has some indicator of where to move. This isn't directed to you JCR because I'm pretty sure you knew what I meant) xD