Line!

During rehearsals, sometimes we all forget our lines. It happens. It's part of the learning process. There comes a point in the rehearsal procdess when you try, or have, to be off book. And sometimes you need help remembering what you're supposed to say. At such times the correct etiquette for asking the bookholder to tell you your line is to freeze in your position and say:

"Line."

That's not "What the fuck is my line?" or "Oh! Oh! I know it...it's uhm.......What is it?" or the ever popular "Don't tell me....don't tell me...." It's "Line." Pure and simple. Don't look at the bookholder, because then you're breaking character further and it's harder to get back into the emotion of the scene you and your partners have been working on. Then you say your line and go back to the scene.

It is also very nice to thank the bookholder at the end of rehearsal. Not in the middle of your scene. Rehearsal is a time for rehearsing. And that means staying in your character when you're onstage. Which is why you make no fuss about asking for your lines. I know it's embarrassing. I've been there with the forgetting my line. But it's no big deal, and just get back to your acting.

Also, as a bookholder, it sucks to hear all those things up there "Oh ..it's something like....what is it?" No. I'll give you your line when you calmly say "Line." We don't mind telling you. Really. That's why we're on book. But I really don't like babying you by giving you your line unless you ask for it properly. It's just courteous to not make a big fuss and fluster your co-actors, getting them out of character and breaking the energy of the scene.

More importantly, this is a universal request word. Not every stage manager knows when you really want your line, and when you'll push on and fight your way through the scene. Sometimes you're pausing for dramatic effect. Sometimes it's on the tip of your tongue and you'll get it. There's really nothing more frustrating for an actor who's trying her best to fight her way through a scene and not break emotional continuity than for a bookholder to butt in and say, "No, your line is..." It really takes the actors out of their emotional groove.

So for bookholders: Don't give the line unless they say....what is it? Say it with me, "Line."

So. Now we know, and knowing is half the battle.