A Practical Guide for Drama Students and Aspiring Actors
When Michael Murray was a student at R.A.D.A. he was told by his drama tutor, "You do not learn lines: you study a part".
But how do you study a part?
In "Learning Lines?" Michael describes the principal dramatic elements that writers use to construct their scripts and which actors need to know in order to understand and learn a role. He shows you how to interrogate a script for evidence to build a character; analyse your scenes; divide your role into its units and objectives; and identify the sub-text. With this knowledge you can then learn your lines authentically instead of rote-learning them. Michael considers the memorisation process and how it can be used to optimise the learning of lines and describes his own practical step by step approach to learning a role using scripted material he has written specifically for the purpose.
Michael has many years' experience as an actor (under his Equity name), drama teacher, writer and director; he is a Drama in Education specialist and has an M.A. in Education. He uses his knowledge of drama and teaching methods to provide you with oral and written exercises and techniques that will enable you to embed your lines deep in your being so that you can forget about them and not just "act" but "be".
If you've ever thought there must be a more stimulating and effective way of learning lines than simply rote-learning, then this is the book for you.
If you're an aspiring actor or drama student the book will be particularly useful but it should also interest those who intend to write or direct and all who are interested in literature and the drama.
