Should I Memorize Sides or Read the Whole Script? (What Casting Actually Wants)

Every actor's 2am panic: They sent 3 pages of sides, but the full script is 120 pages. Do I memorize just the sides? Read the whole script? What if they ask about page 87?

After talking to dozens of casting directors, here's the truth they wish every actor knew.

The Answer That Changes Everything

Casting sent you 3 pages because they want to see those 3 pages.

But here's the catch: They want to see those 3 pages performed by someone who UNDERSTANDS the whole story.

Think about it: You can't play the end of a relationship if you don't know the beginning. You can't play betrayal if you don't know the trust that came before.

The Professional Priority System

Here's exactly what working actors do, in this order:

Priority 1: Master Your Sides (2-3 hours)

• These are YOUR AUDITION. Everything else is context.
• Memorize them. Yes, even if you can hold them.
• Make specific choices for every line
• Know them well enough to take direction

Priority 2: Read the Full Script (45 minutes)

• IF YOU HAVE IT, read it. Once. Maybe twice.
• Don't memorize other scenes
• Track your character's full arc
• Note: relationships, status changes, what others say about you

Priority 3: Research When Needed (30 minutes)

• For TV: Watch an episode to understand tone
• For film: Watch the director's previous work
• For theater: Read reviews of previous productions

When You DON'T Have the Full Script

Often, you won't. Especially for TV and film. Here's what to do:

Create the context yourself:

• What happened right BEFORE this scene? (Make it up)
• What do I want to happen AFTER? (Decide)
• What's our relationship history? (Invent it)
• What am I fighting for in the larger story? (Choose)

Your invented context is better than no context. Casting can redirect wrong choices. They can't direct no choices.

The "Full Script Trap" to Avoid

Some actors spend 6 hours analyzing the full script and 30 minutes on their actual sides.

This is backwards.

You're not auditioning to be a dramaturge. You're auditioning to perform specific scenes. Those scenes are your job interview. Everything else is background information.

What Casting Directors Actually Think

I surveyed 15 casting directors. Here's what they said:

"I can tell in 10 seconds if someone just memorized lines or understands the story. But I'd rather see strong choices in the sides than perfect knowledge of the whole script." - TV Casting Director

"We often don't have the full script ourselves. We're looking at how you handle what we gave you." - Film Casting Associate

"If actors spent half the time they spend 'researching' actually working on their sides, booking rates would double." - Theater Casting Director

The Time Management Formula

If you have 4 hours to prepare:

• 2.5 hours: Working on your sides
• 45 minutes: Reading full script (if available)
• 30 minutes: Character biography work
• 15 minutes: Research (project/director/show)

If you have 1 hour to prepare:

• 45 minutes: Memorizing sides
• 10 minutes: Skim full script for context (if available)
• 5 minutes: Make three strong choices

The Questions They Actually Ask

Worried about script questions in the room? Here's what casting actually asks:

Common questions:

• "How do you see this character?"
• "What do you think they want?"
• "Can you try it more/less [angry/sad/desperate]?"

Rare questions:

• "What happens on page 73?"
• "Can you do the scene from Act 2?"
• "What's your character's relationship to the minor character in scene 8?"

If they ask about something you don't know, say: "I focused on preparing these sides thoroughly. What would help to know about that?"

They'll tell you. It's not a test.

The TV Exception

For TV callbacks, especially series regulars, YES, watch episodes. Understand:

• The show's pacing
• The humor style (if comedy)
• How similar characters speak
• The world rules

But still: Your SIDES are your audition. The show is context.

Using Apps for Script vs. Sides

Smart actors use their tools strategically:

For sides memorization: Use apps like Offbook, LineLearner, or Rehearsal Pro. Run them 10-15 times. These are your money pages.

For full script reading: Just read it on your tablet/phone. Don't waste app time memorizing scenes you won't perform.

For quick context: Voice record yourself summarizing the story. Listen to it while driving to the audition.

The Callback Reality

Callbacks are different. For callbacks:

• They might give you new sides
• They might ask you to read other scenes
• You should know more about the full story
• Read the full script twice if you have it

But for first auditions? Stick to the formula above.

Red Flags You're Over-Preparing

You're doing too much if:

• You know page 45 better than your actual sides
• You've researched the writer's entire biography
• You can recite other characters' lines but stumble on yours
• You've watched 10 episodes but haven't memorized the sides

The Bottom Line

Your sides are your job interview. The full script is the employee handbook.

Would you memorize the entire employee handbook before a job interview? No. You'd nail the interview questions, then learn the handbook if you get hired.

Same principle.

Master what they asked you to prepare. Understand the larger context if you can. But never sacrifice the quality of your sides for comprehensive script knowledge.

Casting directors remember great scene work. They don't remember who knew the most about page 97.

Focus on what's in front of you. That's what books the job.

And if you're scrambling to memorize sides at midnight? That's when scene partner apps become invaluable. Tools like Offbook can provide the practice partner you need when everyone else is asleep.

Your sides are due tomorrow. Make them undeniable. Everything else is extra credit.