Distraction and Concentration in Memorizing Lines

Having a quiet place to study is important. A library is good for reading and studying. However, you’re training for delivering your lines on stage, not to write a test in a classroom. Distraction may actually help you learn… or at least help you to keep your brain on your lines amid the chaos of performing.

Just ask Kevin Spacey:

Kevin Spacey, from iCelebZ article

The actor [Kevin Spacey] — who won has won two Oscars for his roles in “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty” – likes memorizing scripts in places like restaurants and train stations as it helps him focus.

Kevin, 48, said: “I go to very noisy restaurants when learning lines. I also go to very noisy train stations, where plates are dropping, babies are crying, phones are ringing – because somehow it forces your brain to actually focus.”
Kevin Spacey Prefers To Learn Lines In Noisy Environments | iCelebZ.com

I would not recommend this strategy for everyone, but it certainly works for him. So maybe it’s worth a try.

If you find that this doesn’t work for you, ScenePartner may be an even more valuable addition to your line memorization program. When your lines are coming into your ears from your mp3 player, it eliminates all auditory distractions. You could be in a loud bus station, and all you’d hear are your lines. Learn your lines on the bus where the vibration and jostling people make it hard to read from your script. When you learn lines by ear, you open up a world of opportunities to memorize and refresh your lines… a world that used to be full of distractions.

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