Should Luis Try Out Too?

Luis says: My best friend, Travis, wants to be an actor. He has always dreamed of playing the lead role in the school musical. But we’re doing The Music Man this year—my favorite show! Would it be wrong for me to try out for the lead too?

Luis says: My best friend, Travis, wants to be an actor. Starring in the school musical is his dream. But this year, we’re doing The Music Man. It’s my favorite show! Would it be wrong for me to try out for the lead too?

Luis says: My best friend, Travis, plans to be an actor and has always wanted to play the lead role in the school musical. But we’re doing The Music Man this year—my favorite show! Would it be wrong for me to audition for the lead too?

Vanessa says: Your dreams matter!

    So it’s Travis’s dream to be the lead in the school musical. After this year, we’ve got four years of high school. This isn’t his last chance. That’s why I think you should try out! Even if you don’t want to be an actor in the future, this role sounds important to you. I say go for it.

    The truth is, you wouldn’t be helping Travis by stepping aside. If he wants to be an actor, he needs to get used to competing for parts. In the real world, nobody is going to let him have a role just because he really wants it. Some healthy competition will be good practice! And everyone deserves a chance. 

    It’s really nice how thoughtful you are being. You and Travis are such good friends. That’s why I think you should just talk to him about this. Tell him you want to audition. I’m sure he’d be happy for you to get a shot at the role too.

Vanessa says: Your dreams matter!

    So Travis wants to star in the school musical. After this year, we’ve got four years of high school. This isn’t his last chance. That’s why I think you should try out! Even if you don’t want to be an actor in the future, you care about this role. Go for it.

    The truth is, you wouldn’t be helping Travis by stepping aside. To be an actor, he needs to get used to competing for parts. In the real world, no one will let him have a role just because he really wants it. Some healthy competition will be good practice! And everyone deserves a chance.

    It’s nice how thoughtful you are being. You and Travis are such good friends. That’s why I think you should talk to him about this. Tell him you want to try out. I’m sure he won’t mind.

Vanessa says: Your dreams matter!

    Starring in the school musical might be Travis’s dream, but this isn’t his only opportunity. After this year, we’ve got four years of high school—and that’s why I think you should try out! Even if you don’t aspire to be an actor in the future, it sounds like this role is important to you—so I say go for it.

    The truth is, you wouldn’t be helping Travis by stepping aside. If he wants to be an actor, he needs to get used to competing for parts. In the real world, nobody is going to let him have a role just because he really wants it. Some healthy competition will be good practice—and anyway, everyone deserves a chance.

    It’s obvious that you really value your friendship with Travis, and I know he does too. That’s why I think you should just talk to him about this. If you tell him you want to audition, I’m sure he’ll be happy for you to get a shot at the role too.

Ben says: Let Travis have his moment.

    Remember last year when we did School of Rock and Travis didn’t get the lead? He was sad for weeks! Think about it this way: If you were to get the lead part, it would be cool. But if it didn’t happen, you wouldn’t be totally heartbroken, right? I don’t think I can say the same for Travis. This matters so much to him. 

    I know you like theater too. But sometimes people love something so much that it feels like it’s theirs. I feel that way about lacrosse. I’m pretty sure you feel that way about comic books. And I know that’s how Travis feels about musicals.  

    It sounds like The Music Man is important to you. But you don’t have to be the leading man to be a part of it! You could play another role, work on the sets, or even help direct it. That way, you could support Travis in his big dream and still be involved in your favorite show.

Ben says: Let Travis have his moment.

    Remember last year, when we did School of Rock? Travis didn’t get the lead. He was sad for weeks! Think about it this way: If you were to get the lead part, it would be cool. But if it didn’t happen, you wouldn’t be heartbroken, right? I can’t say the same for Travis. This matters so much to him.

    I know you like theater too. But sometimes people love something so much that it feels like it’s theirs. I feel that way about lacrosse. You feel that way about comic books. And Travis feels that way about musicals.

    It sounds like The Music Man is special to you. But you don’t have to be the leading man to take part! You could play another role. You could work on the sets. You could even help direct. That way, you could support Travis in his dream and still be involved in the show.

Ben says: Let Travis have his moment.

    Remember last year, when we did School of Rock and Travis didn’t get the lead? He was sad for weeks! Think about it this way: It would be cool if you got the lead part, but you wouldn’t be totally devastated if you didn’t, right? I don’t think I can say the same about Travis. Starring in the show is extremely important to him.

    I know you like theater too—but sometimes people love something so much that it feels like it’s theirs. I feel that way about lacrosse, I’m pretty sure you feel that way about comic books, and I know that’s how Travis feels about musicals.

    It sounds like The Music Man is important to you, but you don’t have to be in the leading role to be a part of it! You could play another role, work on the sets, or even help direct it. That way, you could support Travis in his big dream and still be involved in your favorite show.