Prepairing for Roleplay Events

​Author

Abbas Hussain, Illinois FBLA State Parliamentarian

Preparing for a roleplay event in FBLA can seem daunting, but with a little extra effort and the right strategy, they can be the most exciting events to participate in! If you feel a little nervous or unprepared for your roleplay event, here’s a short guide to help you get ready:

1. Know Your Topic
Roleplay events are extremely interactive, and your judge may interrupt with a question at any time. That’s why it’s so important to thoroughly understand your topic! Research the subject of your event so you can provide accurate responses. You don’t need to read an entire textbook to be well-prepared, but having a solid foundation of knowledge to reference will help you appear professional. Many roleplay events already include a test portion, which accounts for part of your overall score, so knowing the material is crucial if you want to succeed!

2. Keep Practicing No Matter What
Fortunately, most roleplay events provide sample case studies that you can use to practice before your competition. In your first few presentations, it’s perfectly fine to make mistakes. You’ll learn from them, and over time, you’ll get better at answering tough questions and handling challenging scenarios. Even if you prefer not to practice in front of others, going through a sample case study and presenting alone or with your group will still help sharpen your skills. The flow of your roleplay will improve only with practice.

3. Stay in Character
For most case study events, the setting is more like a consultation or casual conversation. Your judges will appreciate it if you avoid sounding robotic or relying heavily on your notecards. Let your personality come through! Some events, like Hospitality & Event Management, even encourage creativity, so don’t hold back—use your unique style to enhance the roleplay.

4. Keep Calm
It’s normal to feel nervous before any presentation, especially a roleplay. But remember, a big part of roleplays is about having fun and enjoying the experience. Trust in your preparation and turn that nervous energy into enthusiasm—it’ll make your presentation go smoother than you expect.
At the end of the day, FBLA competitive events are all about learning and having an amazing time. Roleplay events are among the most challenging, so be proud that you took on the challenge, no matter the outcome