
Memorizing elaborate lines is extremely challenging, whether you’re on “Grey’s Anatomy” and have to deliver words like “LVAD” and “subdural hematoma” or sing “I am the very model of a modern major-general” patter song from “The Pirates of Penzance.” “Never fear, it can be done,” says Page Clements, a New York City actor and voice teacher. Here’s how:
Do your research
“Start by looking up any words that you don’t understand. Let’s say you booked a role as a doctor and you have a string of medical terminology to memorize. It will be easier if you actually know and can picture what you’re saying or describing. Are you listing medications? Know what they are used for. Procedures? Know why a patient would need that procedure and what the steps are. The same goes for lines or lyrics written by Gilbert and Sullivan or Shakespeare; know what each word means. Remember, the words have importance, they don’t just have sounds.”
Break it down
“Break up your line into mini-beats or smaller sections. Short-term memory tends to hold around seven objects at a time, so if the words themselves are complex, you might want to start with groups of five to nine words. You can also look for small shifts in tone, intention, or emotion and use these shifts as your mini-beats. Figuring out where you will take a breath, if needed, can also help you choose your sections. It’s also important to know your intention—why are you saying these lines or singing these lyrics?
“Say you are playing that doctor and you have a patient in the ER who needs to go into surgery. Your first few words might be to a nurse, instructing what medications to administer, then you might be turning to a resident who is assisting in informing an intern about the procedure you are about to perform, what anatomy is involved, and what your expectations are. You can memorize each of those chunks separately, then string them together.”
Warm up
“Any time you are going to be speaking and moving—if only vocally—you should do at least a quick five-minute warmup. Begin with some deep breaths, then do a couple minutes of stretching to open up your core. Try side stretches and a forward bend with your arms crossed. Then make exaggerated silly faces to stretch all of your facial muscles, including your lips. Stretch your tongue by running it around the inside of your mouth a number of times, then trying to touch your chin and your nose. Next, do some tongue twisters. I can’t say enough good things about tongue twisters!”
Repeat and repeat and repeat…
“Now that you’re warmed up and you know what you’re saying and why, it’s time to speak the lines or lyrics. Say them as many times as possible, until the words feel like they’re in your muscles. But don’t just say them: Each time you repeat the line, instead of just focusing on the words—and your anxiety about trying to memorize them—focus on your intention. Remember you’re conveying ideas and information that have to be heard.”
Give yourself time—and breathe!
“You can do this! Just break it down, and give yourself some time: Work on it every day. Look at Dame Judy Dench, who is still reciting Shakespeare well into her 80s! Above all, don’t deny yourself breath. Everything will be easier and more effective if you remember to breathe.”
Page Clements is an actor and director who also teaches vocal production, dialects, and Shakespeare at T. Schreiber Studios in New York City (www.pageclements.com).