September 22, 2019 SOMEBODY IS JEALOUS OF ME! Hi Brandon, I got the main role in our school’s fall play, which is exciting! But, my understudy is being mean to me because she didn’t get the role. I feel sorry for her, but I also worked really hard to get the part and she’s being super annoying. WHAT DO I DO?!?!?! Drowning In Drama Hey Drowning In Drama, Well first of all, congratulations on getting the main role! That’s a big deal. I hope the understudy’s jealousy isn’t stopping you from feeling proud about that. Jealousy is really tough, whether you’re feeling jealous, or somebody’s feeling jealous of you. And I bet it happens a lot when everyone wants the leading role in a play. It happens in other activities too, like sports, spelling bees or WHATEVER. Even things like friendship and crushes. There’s so much competition, all around us! It’s pretty tricky when you’re the one who got the part. You’re proud of yourself and you should be. But you also don’t want to act like you’re better than anyone and make anyone feel envious. I think the best thing you can do in general (we’ll get to the mean girl in a second) is try to be humble and a good team player with the whole cast. Compliment other people on their work, offer to run lines with people, and stuff like that. And work hard. Show everyone that you deserve the part because of how hard you’re willing to work. Now, let’s talk about the understudy. Nothing excuses her being mean, but I will say that being an understudy seems like a really hard job. Because you have to do ALL of the work of the lead actor but you might not even get to perform and show everyone how hard you worked. (The upside of being an understudy is that you get a chance to learn a lot and prove yourself to the director. If you DO get to perform, you’ll be saving the day! But if you don’t, hopefully the director will remember your work the next time and you’ll get to perform an important part then.) So, just like humility is important, it’s also good to understand what the understudy is going through. Maybe there are ways you can make her feel like you’re partners in the role, like running lines together or working on choreography together. But, if she’s not responding to your kindness and all into the “haterade,” it sounds like that might be her problem. If it’s a serious problem that’s distracting you, you could talk to the director. But if it’s just annoying, do your best to focus on giving the best performance you can and try to ignore the understudy’s issues. Have you ever been jealous because you didn’t get a part, make a team or win a competition? Have you ever been the one who got something other people wanted? How do you deal with their jealousy?
WiseOwl says October 10, 2019 at 5:42 pm OMG I feel bad for you, but remember that the understudy work hard to get her part as well, and that she don’t get to show what she work for on stage.
Work hard says October 8, 2019 at 9:56 pm Don’t let understudy keep you from doing your best. Work hard and keep going. I know exactly how you feel. I had the same problem. Good luck on the show!
Zoey says October 7, 2019 at 10:21 pm Hey, drowning in drama! I just wanted to let you know that here people are giving you a choice between being mean and not explaining your hard work, and others tell you to explain it. My opinion: ~Explain your hard work,why you got the role and how you feel when she treats you this way ~If she does not understand and still is being mean to you THEN you can tell her to cry a river if she ia that jealous, or if her life is really THAT bad to get a new one!! Just letting you know!!! Choices are: Mean or explain to her!! With love Zoey!!!
Barn queen says October 7, 2019 at 10:02 pm Be as nice as you can and we are all ways here to give advice and Brandon and Nikki so we’re all dorks not to be mean but we’re all proud of it so we are always here for you
Theriputic Friendship says October 5, 2019 at 11:24 am Tell that girl to stop. Its not YOUR fault that you got the part and she didn’t. And in anyways, there will be plenty of other plays and rolls in different productions. This is your time to shine and she should be happy for you! Hope this helps 🙂 P.S: Good luck in your show!
NatiTheDork says October 8, 2019 at 2:32 pm Drowning In Drama, Maybe next year that girl will get that role you have now! Hey, just ingore her like annoying parts!
THREE WORDS says October 5, 2019 at 9:20 am THREE WORDS: NOT YOUR PROBLEM!! THREE MORE WORDS: NOT YOUR FAULT!!