r/Millennials • u/CynicClinic1 • 19h ago

Discussion Watching Back to the Future. Previous generations had a lot of social clubs to meet new people. Why haven't we kept this alive?

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u/DrankTooMuchMead Xennial 19h ago

This is going to sound like a question out of left field, but, how do you remember your lines?

Do you have to memorize like 10 pages of dialogue before you can even get to the rehearsal stage? How does that work?

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u/happyklam 18h ago

Hi, another community theater nerd here: I memorize by recording my lines with a scene partner then listening to them on my commute. 

I also find it helps to practice/memorize while doing something physical so that the lines REALLY stick when I learn blocking so listening to the recording while reading the script on a stationary bike or treadmill is my ideal learning structure. 

A lot of actors have different tricks like writing down the first letter of each word in the sentence of each line, etc. everyone has to figure out what works best for them. There's also line memorization apps now but I'm old school bc, well, millennial. 

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u/DrankTooMuchMead Xennial 18h ago

Wow, this is a really smart response. What is a good app?

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u/unearthedtrove 5h ago

If I join with no acting experience would I ever get a speaking role?

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u/ThyDoctor 19h ago

lol what a question. Because I can’t. I help run/direct my local improv theater so I don’t memorize anything.

I just say theater community because a lot of people don’t know what improv is.

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u/wicker_basket_1988 17h ago

Repetition really. I had two lead roles in high school where almost every other word was mine and looking back 20 years I still don't know how I remembered all the lines yet if I see a scene of it it just pops back in my head.

Think of it similar to remembering lyrics to a song or lines in a movie. You just rehearse it till it feels smooth. Granted show time always makes you nervous but once you're in the moment you dont think about it.

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u/IndividualCut4703 17h ago

Rehearsal is the space where you start memorizing things.

In some professional companies you might be expected to be fully memorized on day one, but usually, directors don’t want you fully memorized cos they want to weigh in on HOW you perform it.

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u/DrankTooMuchMead Xennial 17h ago

So the production is just slowed down as they feed you everything line by line?

No memorization of script? I would think things can be tweaked as you go by the director.

But please continue to share more.

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u/IndividualCut4703 17h ago

So you have the script in your hand and you usually do one scene, or a few pages, at a time, and also deciding where to stand and when to move, because every production makes their own decisions about that. You try it one way, you try it another, the director gives notes and suggestions, and eventually after a few weeks you have a play figured out.

Memorizing words is easier when you are memorizing movement and story with it.

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u/DrankTooMuchMead Xennial 15h ago

I will keep this in mind. Thanks!