Play as in in the films or play as in live out or play as in some other form of other situation involving acting of the roll.

Assuming the first option I'd played what-his-face elf who's in a background of whichever scene he's in. I'd look all smug knowing I'd killed three balrogs by myself when they attacked me at the same time.

The main rolls involve too much hair, beards, blondness, angst, moodiness, or hobbitness.