Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

For Trying Out Loud

Album: 39: Friends, Family, and Countrymen

Episode: 506

Lesson/Theme: Finding your place

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:11

Characters: Liz, Wooton, Edwin

Writer:

Sound Designer:

Original Air Date: February 1, 2003

Last Air Date: January 10, 2009

Description:
Liz is trying to find something that she’s good at; it seems that her friend Ashley Jenkins is good at everything. First, she tries basketball, then choir, then cheerleading. Each one seems to lead to her own humiliation. She accepts the fact that she’s not good at anything. Meanwhile, at the Harlequin Theatre, Shakespeare excitedly tells Edwin Blackgaard about a play he saw at the Elementary School. Shakespeare suggests that if they got the community more involved in their productions, more people would attend. Edwin protests, but finally agrees to hold auditions when he hears about the potential ticket sales. The auditions turn out to be only one personæWooton Bassett. Edwin isn’t pleased with Wooton’s acting, so he tries Wooton on different theatre tasks. His experiment as a lighting technician nearly blinds Edwin, while his try at set design makes Edwin sick. Edwin finally decides to give Wooton a bit part (only seven words) in the play, thinking he’ll invite a few friends. After the cheerleading tryouts, Liz is convinced that her friend Ashley will make it on the squad. The snobby yet popular Brenda Frazier says she’ll make it, but Liz and Ashley agree that Brenda’s tryout wasn’t good. The two of them are shocked when they find that Brenda did make it...and Ashley didn't! Back at the Harlequin, Wooton is obsessing over his part. He’s getting nervous and he’s afraid he’ll forget his line. Liz stops in Whit’s End and Wooton’s behind the counter. Liz tells Wooton about her problemsæshe thinks she’s a failure at everything. Wooton tells her he feels the same way. Wooton tells her that God put some talent in everybody; he advises her to look in unexpected places for talent. Taking his advice, Liz goes to Mrs. Neitchew to ask about the cheerleading squad. Mrs. Neitchew tells her that the results were based on voting and the ballots were already thrown away. Liz decides to take action, she digs through the dumpster and finds the ballot box. And she finds that all the ballots are in the same handwriting! Liz takes her findings to Mrs. Neitchew, who agrees to hold a recount. She also tells Liz that her investigating skills qualify her for another jobæthe school newspaper! Liz has finally found something she can do. Mrs. Neitchew soon gives her an assignment to review Edwin’s play. The big performance arrives and Wooton is more nervous than ever. Edwin and Shakespeare, however, are very excited to find that the theatre is packed. Wooton has invited nearly everyone in Odyssey! The play begins and Wooton once again messes up his line. However, his comical mistakes prove to be funnier than the play itself. The crowd gives them a standing ovation. Edwin tells Wooton he’ll give him a part in any play as long on Wooton agrees to do the publicity for it.

Questions:
Why was Liz disappointed at first? Wooton told Liz that God has "put some talent in everyone." What do you think your talents are? How did both Wooton and Liz find what their talents were? How can you apply their method?