Of Rehearsing and Line Learning

The last couple of weeks since half term have been a whirlwind of script reading and casting. I am delighted to announce that our 22 page (!) script is in full rehearsals and we are half way through blocking it.

This is by far our most ambitious project to date and I have to admit that I have no idea at the time of writing this if we will pull it off!

Before I continue, a quick reminder about the details for the next couple of weeks.

July 7th

09.45 - 14.00 Rehearsal with BOTH groups (this worked fantastically well last time with every member bar 1 making the full 4 hours) in THE WINDMILL THEATRE.

18.00 Arrival at Windmill Theatre. Tickets will be £3 on the door. We will be having two halves. During the interval there will be evaluation forms for this term together with information for next September. Lots of very exciting news coming up!

July 13th 


Dress and Tech Rehearsal at THE DOME. Please meet at Stage Door at 16.45 for the tech and dress rehearsal on stage at 17.10. The rehearsal will finish at 17.30 and then you are expected to register for the evening at 18.00. I would suggest that you either organise a packed dinner or get some food before the tech and dress. I realise that this isn't the most ideal timing for the rehearsal but I didn't have any control over it.

Line Learning

For a few members of Windmill Young Actors this will be the first time that you've had to learn lines. Here's a few tips:-

1) Read your lines out loud at least 3 times. Put your script down and try to remember the first sentence. Repeat for longer paragraphs and repeat, repeat, repeat.

2) Practice with somebody else. It's very difficult learning lines on your own so get your Mum or Dad or a grandparent to help out - they'll enjoy it! My mother in law tends to help me sometimes but then I did marry her actress daughter so I guess she's used to it!

3) Try to look over your lines every day. Just like learning for a test or an exam. Repeating every day, even if just for 5 minutes, can really help. Just before you go to sleep is usually a really good time as, for some reason, they simply stick better.

4) Don't panic! It can often be very annoying if a line just won't go into your head. Don't worry, this is very normal. Try and come up with a trick to remember the line. Is there a question you can ask yourself or sound that you can trick your brain into associating with that line?

5) Learn the lines before your line. Otherwise, there will be a big pause and you'll suddenly remember that it's you! This is really important and will help the script race along at a good pace.

6) Practice in character. Once you have your lines in your head then start thinking about the character and the situation that they are in. Use techniques from earlier in the term to work out exactly how your character would say those lines and what they WANT to achieve from saying them.

7) Try doing them really fast. This is a good indication of how well you know them. If you've got a scene with somebody else then ask someone to 'read in' with you. It's fine if you want to do the scene loads of times. They will understand!

I'll write more as I think of them but hopefully that gives you enough to go on.

I can't wait for Saturday when everyone is 'off book' and has learnt their lines!