The Best Way to Memorize Lines in 2023

1/8/2023

In this article, I’ll show you the best way to memorize lines in five simple steps, plus how to stand out so casting directors remember you!

The Best Way to Memorize Lines

Before we discuss the best way to memorize lines, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

Get a reading buddy (or two). Ideally you should ask two other actors if they want to be reading buddies with you. As auditions come up, you'll each have two different people you can ask (in case one is unavailable) to be a reader to help you memorize your lines. Prepping for an audition by using a memorize-lines app or your phone's recording software can help initially, but you should also always do a bit of practice with a live reader. You can even ask your reading buddies to be your reader via Zoom or over the phone when you're recording self-tapes.
You should NOT just focus on your own lines. Knowing the scene in and out is critical if you want a chance of booking the role, so you should spend time studying both yours AND the other characters' lines in the script. As you study and run lines, you can try switching parts to test yourself (have your reader or app read your part, and then attempt to play the other character's lines). By knowing all lines in the script, you'll know your cue lines too, which is critical for timing.
Go off-script to really get the hang of the scene. Even though casting directors generally don't like improvisation, you should still play around with it once you've got the scene initially memorized. This will give you a better sense of the meaning of each line and help get rid of the monotony of doing the same exact lines over and over again. Just remember though: when you're in the audition room, you should perform the lines exactly as they're written.
Rest in between memorization sessions. Just like working out (where your body only builds muscle during rest days), your brain also needs a break from memorization to synthesize the lines you're working on. You should take rests in between memorization sessions either by doing something totally different (ideally something physical like running, walking, etc.) or by simply taking a nap.

The 5 Best Ways to Memorize Lines

We're now going to talk about the five most effective ways to memorize lines, plus why each is so effective.

You can apply any one of these or combine multiple methods together to memorize your lines even faster!

Strategy #1: The Comprehension Method

Why it's effective: The comprehension method is all about deeply understanding what's being said in the scene and why. The best way to memorize lines is to first understand what's happening in a scene and what every line means. It's also a necessary part of understanding the character and doing your homework on the scene, so it shouldn't take you any more time than it would to prepare for the scene normally.

How to use it: This is the first thing you should do, before you even attempt to memorize any lines in a scene. If you don't comprehend what's going on and you don't know what every line means, it's going to be WAY harder to memorize.

How it works:

Read every line of the script and ask yourself, "What does this mean?" Make sure the meaning of each line is clear. If you don't understand the phrase or what someone is saying, try Googling it.
Next, figure out why each line is being said. Once you understand what each line means, go through and figure out, 'Why is this person saying this?" The more you understand the meaning and intention behind each line, the easier it will be to make clear choices and memorize the lines. If there's no clear reason why someone is saying something, make up your own reason. Learn more about this concept in Natural Acting: The Ultimate Guide.
As you go through the script, you might have to go back and revise your answers from earlier. Occasionally, as you read the script, you'll realize a choice you made earlier doesn't fit with a line that's said later. If that's the case, go back and revise the choice you made originally so every line makes sense!

The clearer you are with every moment, both on what the lines mean and why you're saying them, the easier it will be to memorize the scene because you'll have a complete understanding of it. And of course, by understanding the scene your performance will be much clearer for casting directors to judge (i.e. you'll be making clear choices).

Strategy #2: The Letter Method (AKA How to Memorize Lines in 5 Minutes)

Why it's effective: The letter method is all about writing down the first letter of each word of your lines. This is probably the fastest and best way to memorize lines – some actors can even use it to memorize a script in as little as five minutes! What makes it so fast is you're both reviewing AND attempting to recall at the same time. This process cements the lines into your brain quickly.

How to use it: You should use this method right after breaking down the scene to quickly get the lines in your head so you can start to apply some of the other methods outlined in this article.

How it works:

Handwrite the first letter of every single word of the scene on a piece of paper. Make sure to keep the capitalization, punctuation, and line breaks EXACTLY as they're written in the script. Be sure to do this for everything, including the other character's lines. If the words are "I went to the grocery store, and while there I decided to buy a salad," you'd write: "I w t t g s, a w t I d t b a s."
Read the scene through, saying all the lines out loud at least twice. Note that you're looking at the actual script for this part, not your letters.
Look at your letters and attempt to recall the scene while only seeing the first letter of each word. You can take a quick glance at the script itself if you can't remember a particular word. Only move onto Step 4 when you can make it through the entire scene twice in a row without looking back at the script.
Put down your letter sheet and attempt to perform the entire scene (yours and the other character's lines). This time, you're not looking at anything.

Most actors are able to get the entire scene down after just 5-7 attempts while looking at their letter chart.

What I love about this method is how quickly you'll memorize the scene. It virtually takes no skills at all, and in about 15-20 minutes (or 5 if you're really good) you'll have an entire set of audition sides memorized.

Strategy #3: The Handwriting Method

Why it's effective: The Handwriting Method is all about writing out each of your lines by hand. This method employs muscle memory. By physically writing the words down by hand, you'll much more quickly memorize them.

How to use it: If you struggle with The Letter Method above, this is a backup option. It takes more time but is highly effective.

How it works:

Handwrite every word in the scene on a piece of paper. Make sure to keep the capitalization, punctuation, and line breaks EXACTLY as they're written in the script.
Perform the scene out loud twice. Note you're looking at the the words you wrote for this part (not the original script). You should also be performing the other character's lines.
Rewrite the script again by hand. You should now write everything down a second time, just as you did it the first time.
Perform the scene a few more times. Keep practicing until you can do it without having to glance at the script.
If you're still having trouble memorizing, go back to The Letter Method. Now that you've written the script out by hand, The Letter Method should be easier.

Although this method takes longer, it can really help you solidify the words in your mind. The muscle memory you create by writing the lines out by hand makes it WAY easier to memorize everything.

Strategy #4: The Recorder Method

Why it's effective: The Record Method is all about recording your lines and listening to them play back repeatedly. By hearing the lines over and over again (while you're doing different things and in different environments), they eventually get embedded in you.

How to use it: This is a great first step just to start getting the lines in your head. You don't need to have anything memorized yet to use The Recorder Method.

How it works:

Using your smartphone, record yourself saying all the lines from the scene. Be sure to record your own lines in a low whisper, and all the other lines in your normal voice. The effect of whispering your own lines ensures your lines are there in case you forget them, forces you to leave enough space in-between each line for you to say yours, and also ensures you don't keep hearing yourself perform the lines the same way (which can make you less receptive to direction during the audition).
Play the recording back on repeat. Keep playing and listening to the scene, over and over again. When possible, say your lines out loud. Listen while doing other things and in different environments.
Keep going until you have the scene down cold. It will likely take a couple of hours of work, spaced out over a day or two (depending on the length of the script).

There are some free and paid apps that let you replay a segment of audio over and over again. I highly recommend Rehearsal Pro. Even though the $20 price tag might seem high for an app, keep in mind that most people spend more than that on a pair of jeans. Is booking more acting work worth a pair of jeans?

Strategy #5: The Variance Method

Why it's effective: This method focuses on performing your lines in all different emotional tones, which you strengthen the neural pathways to your brain AND you break your pattern of saying the lines in the same way. This helps you perform more naturally in the audition room.

How to use it: You can use this method (with or without the script in front of you) to really solidify your lines so you don't forget them – no matter what situation you're in – at least for the next few days. It works best if you have a live reader to practice with.

How it works:

Once you've got your lines memorized using the first three techniques, begin performing in wildly different ways. Try one where you perform your lines extremely fast. Go as quickly as you possibly can through the script.
Next, perform really slow. Do the scene in an extremely slow-motion, bored type of way.
Next, yell at the top of your lungs. Try screaming your lines as though you're enraged!
Play it super sad and remorseful. Go the exact opposite by almost crying while saying your lines.
Change it up even more! Do it any way you can, except the normal way you'd expect to do it. You can even try singing your lines!

What I love about this strategy is how fun it is. Playing your lines in all sorts of ways helps your brain really internalize them. Each time you do the scene, not only is it an enjoyable and different experience, but you're consistently strengthening your memory of the lines, and you're opening up your creativity to be able to play the scene in almost any way, making yourself more open to taking direction during the audition.

Best Way to Memorize Lines: Conclusion

Actors who have trouble memorizing lines exactly (and choose to paraphrase) tend to wonder why they're not booking much. The fact is, most directors and writers dislike when actors improvise without permission.

The words are written as they are for a reason, and some casting directors automatically cut anyone who doesn't stick to the script (unless the casting call says improvisation is OK)

The 4 Levels of Acting (and How Memorization Plays Into It)

Most high-level casting directors only hire Level 3 and Level 4 actors, and it can often take at least a year to get to Level 3:

Level 1: These are people who aren't good at acting and consistently look down at the script throughout the audition. They rarely get past the self-tape step because they're either over-acting or don't have any of their lines memorized. For self-tapes, it's very important to be off-book (even more so than when you're at the audition in-person).
Level 2: These actors are generally good at acting but aren't clear on their character's objectives. They keep the script on-hand and generally have it memorized, but because they don't make specific choices there are shifts in how they play the lines, which causes their performance to be confusing to the casting director: "Why did you say that one line lovingly, but now two sentences later you're much more serious and intense?" The performance doesn't flow naturally and can at times feel forced.
- Related: Use Meisner Technique to Book Auditions Without Needing to Do So Much Prep Work
Level 3: These actors make extremely clear choices and know their character's objectives. Everything is memorized so they rarely need to glance at their script, and they've made extremely clear choices. Their performance is interesting to watch, and they play their own personal brand. Level 3 actors ask themselves, "If I were myself in this scenario, how would I speak? What would my vocal intonations be? How would I be feeling and why?"
Level 4: These are the most experienced actors who can shift into any character in an instant. They do all the above from Level 3, but they no longer need to play their own personality because they are chameleons: they can easily do a new accent or suddenly put themselves in the complete mind and body of someone totally outside themselves, and it comes off authentically and looks natural. It can take decades to reach this level.

The Biggest Reason Actors Don't Book the Role

Most actors have enough training that they're natural on camera and are able to memorize their lines fairly well, but the challenge comes because they try to step beyond their skill level during the audition.

Most actors are at Level 2 and, rather than attempting to simply move up to Level 3 in the audition, they try to jump to Level 4.

By stepping WAY outside their comfort zone and attempting to do something they're not at all used to, their performance suffers and they come across as Level 1 – they forget their lines or let their nerves get the best of them.

It's impossible to get to Level 4 without first being off-book and clear on your objectives.

Skipping this critical Level 3 performance and trying to reach for Level 4 can make you appear as though you're trying too hard and over-acting.

The quickest way to start booking more roles is to simply aim for Level 3 and forget about Level 4, and by memorizing your lines as much as possible, you'll easily be able to focus on just that, and you'll start booking WAY more work.

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Knowing the best way to memorize lines is just one part of growing your acting career.

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Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues.

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Some Additional Q&A

How Do Actors Memorize Their Lines So Quickly?

Actors use the steps outlined in this article to memorize their lines fast. Remember however that they were probably slow when they first started out! It was through a lot of practice and repetition that they got to be so fast at memorizing lines.

What is the Most Effective Way to Memorize?

So, how to memorize lines for acting effectively? Well, the best way to do it is simply to first understand the meaning of everything in the scene, then to write out the entire scene by hand once, and then to use The Letter Method (as outlined above in this article) to quickly memorize the entire scene.

How to Memorize a Script in One Night?

So, how to memorize lines in a day? The same concept applies. Step one is to understand what you're trying to memorize – if you don't understand it, you'll never memorize it. Step 2 is to write it out by hand, and step 3 is to use The Letter Method until you memorize it completely.