What is the word that actors use to describe the process of getting familiar with a script?

Solution 1:

study is a theatre term used in this sense:

6. v (tr) to try to memorize: to study a part¹ for a play.
15. n (Theatre) theatre a person who memorizes a part¹ in the manner specified: a quick study

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_{1 (Theatre)
a. an actor's role in a play
b. the speech and actions which make up such a role
c. a written copy of these}

Apparently, it can be applied to both the person and the action that person does.

From the book "The Language of Theatre" edited by Martin Harrison:

Solution 2:

The term I'm familiar with for initial familiarization with a script is first read-through—but that's not very zippy. Wiktionary's glossary of theatre terms suggests two other terms that might be relevant:

cold reading A reading from a script or other text without any prior rehearsal, usually in the context of an audition or workshop.

and

run Italians To speak one's lines very fast, either individually or as a cast; thought to assist in committing lines and cues to memory.

According to Angela Mitchell at About.com Performing Arts, a cold reading may also be used "as a precursor to the start of the rehearsal process."

Solution 3:

Actors would memorize their lines or the script. I am sure an actor would just say, "I need to learn the script."

Also for some actors, especially doing plays, they wouldn't normally memorize everything on their own. They would practice their script (with the others in the performance) or rehearse the script.

Solution 4:

How about familiarize/familiarise?