At least some actors do do the initial memorization by repetition, which also tells us something about memory: the process is to try to recall lines 1-10, then

At least some actors do do the initial memorization by repetition, which also tells us something about memory: the process is to try to recall lines 1-10, then repeat with lines 2-11, then 3-12 etc. At each step it may be necessary to look at a line but then hide it again before performing the act of recalling. This illustrates two things about memory: attempting to recall is the thing that causes you to remember, and also that to enter longer term memory is necessary to recall from that, rather than short term memory. Which the above process does by thrashing short term memory with too much data to fit. This doesn't get you to perfection, probably the process described in the article is necessary as there next step.