Learning About Learning Strategies

Why reading your lines will do very little for you:

The Cone of Learning

This image is from an article called Learn Anything on Litemind.com

By The Book

Learning by rote does not limit you to learning by the book. Too many actors review their lines by reading their script silently over and over again. As you can see from the diagram, this is the least effective way to learn your lines.

The Next Step

If you use ScenePartner in the laziest way – just listening to the lines – you’re still doubling the amount you’ll recall. Of course, everyone is different, and some people are naturally more attuned to their sense of hearing, so they’ll witness an even bigger improvement.

Listen and Repeat

But ScenePartner is designed to be used interactively. You listen to the line, and when you hear the bell, you’re supposed to repeat the line. This rockets you to the 70% zone, recalling most of what we say. What an excellent way to learn!

But that’s not the best way…

Just Do It

The icing on the cake is to get out of your seat, and move around. Your recall will be best immediately after a rehearsal because you were interacting with the other actors, saying the lines with intent, and simulating the situation.

So, when you use ScenePartner at home, go over your blocking, act your lines, don’t just say them. The pinnacle of home study is to get the Cues album for your character, and visualize the other character who is prompting your line. You’ll hear them in your headphones, then react to them with your line. Say it full force, and imagine the scene as if you’re really in rehearsal or on stage.

Not only will your memory of your lines improve more than any other method… you’ll also make acting discoveries at home. You’ll see your performance improve faster than ever before.

Try ScenePartner by Memorize Shakespeare Free