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Memorizing Dialogue

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TheatreLover76
#1Memorizing Dialogue
Posted: 11/22/08 at 11:07am

When studying to play a part, have any one of you struggled with learning or adapting to the character when you find the dialogue/script or the character itself to be boring or not interesting? And esp. when its a run, as in weeks and weeks...how do you make it interesting for yourself? I could image that it might have an effective on your performance if you don't "like" the part you're playing, right?

I mean, how do you go about learning it when it isn't very interesting to you.
Updated On: 11/22/08 at 11:07 AM

ColorTheHours048 Profile Photo
ColorTheHours048
#2re: Memorizing Dialogue
Posted: 11/22/08 at 11:19am

It's all part of acting. What you're saying is clearly interesting to your character or the characters around you or the playwright wouldn't have written it, right? The trick is establishing your character's history. Build your own story around your character that would MAKE your character intriguing. Once you connect to who you're playing, the dialogue won't seem so bad. And if all else fails, say the lines in your own words, add your own personal depth to them, and go back and do it all over again.

This has always helped me. Good luck!

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The Distinctive Baritone
#2re: Memorizing Dialogue
Posted: 11/22/08 at 11:29am

It certainly is much harder to memorize a role that you aren't particularly excited about. Ya just gotta do it. Set aside time where you will make yourself memorize it and when you are done reward yourself with a favorite desert or something. As someone who has done about 40 plays and has both a B.A. and an M.F.A. in Acting (this June), I am always memorizing something.

As for actual performance...if you hate the show and/or your part, as the previous poster said, it's all part of acting. Hiding your boredom is sometimes part of your acting process!


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