For the actor…
Speaking of learning the lines, there are so many effective things you can do to prepare for an audition. Or, after you get the part, so many effective ways to start working on the character. Things such as:
-Creating a backstory.
-Breaking down the script into beats. And then coming up with strong actions.
-Doing sense memory and image work.
-Coming up with “as-ifs”.
-Determining your character’s spirit animal.
-Allowing your imagination to run wild.
-Reading the script 100-200 times (per Anthony Hopkins). Reading it out-loud too (per Harold Guskin).
-Finding the right psychological gestures (per Michael Chekov)
-Figuring out posture, how the character walks, and where their center is.
-Incorporating Alexander Technique and Laban movement into your character.
-Using improvisation to come up with the “moment before.”
-Doing Meisner “repeat” exercises.
-Coming up with the perfect costume that makes you feel like the character.
-Reading other scripts/material from the writer or about the writer (e.g., interviews).
-Watching films that might inspire choices for your character.
-Creating music that gets you into the character’s headspace.
And many others.
These are all phenomenal tactics and techniques and can also be very fun to do.
But if you had very limited time or wanted to 80/20 the process or could only do one thing and one thing only?…
Learn the lines.
Exactly as written.
Learn them so well they come out effortlessly. That you don’t have to think about them. That they are second nature to you. (Be careful not to lock in speech patterns though.)
Let’s face it, this memorization work is not fun. It kinda sucks. You will want to procrastinate.
But, besides the fact that you have to do it anyway, you might also find that by learning the lines first, either (a) some/all of the other techniques are un-necessary or (b) you get so much more out of these techniques. Because the work that you put into learning the lines allows you to then be way more informed and go way deeper with your character as you employ any/all of these techniques. Which then makes that work even more fun.
P.S. – If I had to pick the most important technique besides learning the lines, I’d go with breaking down the script and coming up with strong actions for your character. (But again, once you’re in the audition or rehearsal, throw all this beat/action work away. Nothing should be locked in or forced. Stay open. If it’s right, it will stick. Trust in that. Trust your instincts and craft. Be open. Listen and respond truthfully in the moment.)
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