Memorizing Lines

After a close to a 10 year sabbatical, I am returning to the stage. Erin* and I have been asked to act in our churches Easter drama, "The Stone" (an original play by one of the members). The last time I remember being in a play was in 1984 or 1985 when I played Marley's Ghost in The Christmas Carol in sixth-grade. Since those days, my acting career has consisted only of VBS skits and sketches at camps, college club events, and mission trips. I can't remember the last time I was before an audience acting.

I have been part of productions in the intervening years on the technical staff. I have been the sound engineer for several other plays the church has done. I must say I am excited to step down from the sound booth and take on the role of the Apostle John. Erin will be playing Mary the sister of Lazarus. We were given our roles on Sunday and I have started memorizing my lines.

I have never been good at memorization (I failed many a spelling test in grade school due to my lack of ability to memorize). One of Randy's Rules of Life has been "Never memorize what you can look up." Even today I have to go reference books to remember programming syntax in a language I have been programming in over 5 years. I started memorizing my lines on Monday morning and have been taking the 20-30 minutes I have on the road going to work in the morning to work on my lines. I then use the drive back home to re-iterate my lines. Amazingly enough, I have been doing well. I have been a little shocked that I have been memorizing them so well and so fast, although I feel kind of weird talking to myself in the car.

* This is Erin's first time to be in a play. She did a very good job in the read-thru on Sunday but is very nervous that she will get stage fright and forget all of her lines. Please pray for her.