I'm having a lot of trouble memorizing the script. I dunno why, it's in one ear and out the other. I practice and I go, "I got some of it" and well, I can't seem to remember the rest.

What techniques is their to memorizing the script? Write it out by hand? Look and memorize key words....? Write it on your other hand? (joking)

Also I'm looking for a 30sec. play monologue for next class. Must be memorized. I'm looking but looking for something with what he said "good range of emotion".

If focusing on memorizing is the first thing you're doing with your monologue, then you're probably not going to memorize it quickly or deliver it effectively.

You want to identify the specifics of the script or monologue such as: Who are you? Who are you talking to? Environment? What's going on? Obstacles to getting what you want? Relationship with whom you're talking to? How is this chracter like you and different from you? etc.

The more specific you are with these, the easier knowing the lines will come to you.

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:
You want to identify the specifics of the script or monologue such as: Who are you? Who are you talking to? Environment? What's going on? Obstacles to getting what you want? Relationship with whom you're talking to? How is this chracter like you and different from you? etc.

Yup... it really helps to understand what's happening and what your character is feeling.

I've also found that it helps to first figure out what kind of language you're working with. Is it contemporary? Is it classical? Who wrote it and what kind of dialect did they use?

Some plays have very modern writing and that's usually not a problem. The earlier you go into the 19th and 20th centuries, the more "proper" the language can often get (especially by non-American playwrights). In this case, I've found it helps to focus a bit more on alliteration. Then consider Shakespeare, Webster, and Sophocles... to me, it's almost like learning a different language because it becomes increasingly easier to memorize after you've thoroughly analyzed each line.

If I keep some of these things in mind and plan properly before I even begin to memorize, I find it becomes much easier and is less frustrating.

Determine your intent - where the character has been, where the character is, and where the character (story) is going.

Figure out what your character was doing five minutes before the conversation takes place, then right before. What happened for your character to be saying what he is saying? What does he want to accomplish as a result of speaking? Know what your character would be doing after the monologue is given.

-Work on it for 10-15 minute intervals several times a day
- Try underlining or highlighting operative words
- Rewrite or type out the monologue out yourself
- Take the monologue apart - mark areas where you find the "beats"
- Take it line by line or phrase by phrase
- After the reading it aloud five or six times, try putting the paper down. Try telling the story "in your own words", then as you memorize the real words, substitute them.
- Always rehearse out loud.
- Rehearse at bedtime, with your eyes closed.

DON'T rehearse at which moments you plan make movements or facial expressions. These should come organically as you are feeling the emotions of the piece.

I also suggest memorizing something - anything - even the police blotter - everyday, just to exercise those memorization muscles. The more you do it, the easier it is when you have to learn dialogue. Having that skill frees you up to make the decisions about your character's intent, emotion, etc.

As for finding monologues, Google "dramatic monologue" or "comedic monologue" or whatever type you are looking for, or read some plays and take snippets out of them. Showing a range of emotion doesn't necessarily mean that you are all over the place - they want to see an emotional shift in your piece. That's why it's important to know where your character has been and where he's going (emotionally and literally).

I find it much easier to memorize on my feet, doing the blocking of the show. Much harder to do it sitting and looking at the page.