u/ShapeSubject8822

https://transfer.it/t/qtiTfSpRUTYI

This is the second play I have written this summer, I have only ever written for fun but want to submit to some competitions. I think the humor is very relevant but I am curious if the jokes will land? Any advice or feedback is greatly appreciated.

The Senator’s Sister is a dark political farce about Gideon Vale, a longtime conservative U.S. senator who has spent decades publicly performing a version of himself that no longer fits. Rather than retire and surrender his Senate seat, Gideon stages his own death and reemerges as Gwendolyn “Gwen” Vale—his supposedly long-estranged sister.

This is a portion of the master script I have been using for submissions. This is my first play and Id like some feedback.

The more I read it, I get the feeling that some of the scenes are too slow or not interesting in general. I am looking to submit at some competitions and theaters one day and would greatly appreciate any feedback.

TLDR: I am bringing my mother who has not been to Broadway, which pulse should we see? Sept 5.

I am planning on going to see Masquerade for a third time and would like advice on what to choose. I have seen it twice over the summer-

The first time was at 1:45 and I believe I saw Quentin Earl Darrington. I was blown away. The entire cast was amazing but I was particularly impressed with Darrington, despite a phone going off in front me, the final scene was gut wrenching. I also really enjoyed Giry, it was played by an older woman- I don't have the playbill so I cant recall the cast exactly. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

I was so impressed the first time I drove 5 hours through a storm to see it again. The second time I saw it was at 7:30 and my phantom was Hugh Panero. I feel extremely lucky to have seen one of Paneros performances', especially after learning he was frequently out and ended up leaving the show. My honest impression was that while everybody was amazing, and I was blown away again by the performances, some of the characters like Giry were less... convincing. It almost FELT like some of the stronger actors were in the lesser known phantom? I dressed up and had tons of interactions so I still had a great time.

I am returning for a 3rd time in the beginning of September, and bringing my mother (and am dragging my husband). Husband enjoys theater but Broadway is not his thing and my mom has never been to Broadway and is flying in to see some shows with us. She has seen Mama Mia on a cruise ship and loved it so I think she is going to really enjoy the lineup- I dont think she has seen a full production show. We have tickets to Schmigadoon and maybe want to see either Lost Boys/Paranormal Activity/or Titanique.

We are open to any pulse, I am just lost on which to choose. I am afraid to look at other posted guides, as it seems there have been and will be changes to the cast list and pulse order. Also, do the later times have a higher chance of meeting cast members in the after bar area? I would love to meet Nikita, the violinist.

Does anybody have any advice/suggestion/advice? Also any advice on where to stand to get the right seat for a letter in the NEXT room would be great. I have terrible memory and cant remember if I should be in the front or back of the room to enter the next one, I KNOW I shouldn't be focused on that but got extremely jealous of the persons who got them both times I visited lol. If there is a way to PM that to me, so as to not spoil for others? that would be great.

TIA

https://preview.redd.it/upma9ju62mih1.png?width=1546&format=png&auto=webp&s=19ad6b1059b98ae0f511e200d53b4e9cf5069dac

I'm trying to help my 18-year-old cousin figure out what comes next in his life, and I'm hoping people here might be able to point me toward resources or options that our family hasn't considered.

First, I want to be very clear that I am not a doctor or psychologist and I'm not trying to diagnose him. I'm a special education teacher, but I have no medical training. I'm describing what I've observed because I think he needs a proper evaluation and significantly more support than he's currently receiving.

He is 18 and graduated high school last year. He previously had an IEP, but it was dismissed around 9th grade. I don't know all the circumstances surrounding that decision, although I suspect his father didn't want to continue dealing with the process.

He was also diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as a young child and prescribed medication, but his mother eventually stopped filling the prescription. As far as I know, there hasn't been meaningful follow-up since then.

There are several things I've observed that concern me beyond ordinary academic struggles.

His working memory seems extremely limited. For example, two-step math problems are very difficult because by the time he processes the second part, he often can't remember what he did in the first part. Synthesizing multiple pieces of information is similarly difficult.

He also seems to have:

• Significant difficulty sustaining attention
• Very limited working memory
• Difficulty synthesizing information
• Difficulty with multi-step tasks
• Poor understanding of social cues
• Very slow reaction times
• Academic skills substantially below what I'd expect from a high school graduate
• Social/emotional maturity that seems considerably younger than 18

Driving has been particularly difficult. It took him seven attempts to pass the permit test, and he still hasn't passed the road test. His reaction time also worries me. Unfortunately, not being able to drive is a major barrier to employment because he lives in a rural area.

There is also a difficult family history. He has experienced abuse from both parents and currently isn't living with either of them.

Right now, he's living in a cabin with my elderly grandmother. She loves him and is trying to help him get started in life, but she's understandably struggling with how much support he needs.

The positive side of this is that he wants to move forward.

He recently stayed with me for a week, and we worked every day on studying and basic academic skills. He put in the effort every single day. He's highly motivated when someone gives him structure and works alongside him.

His current dream is to join the military. We're studying for the ASVAB, but I'm concerned that his current math and reading skills, particularly his working-memory difficulties, may make getting a qualifying score very difficult.

I'm not telling him he can't do it. I want to give him a genuine opportunity to try while simultaneously building a Plan B and Plan C.

The rough plan I've developed is:

1. Continue studying 2–4 hours per day, especially multiplication, division, basic math, word problems, reading, and ASVAB material.
2. Get a job somewhere like the local Walmart and have Grandma drive him until he's able to drive independently.
3. Look into remedial/developmental math and English classes at the local community college.
4. Continue working toward his driver's license, assuming driving can be done safely.
5. Eventually take the ASVAB and see where he actually stands rather than assuming he can't do it.

I've also just learned about Tennessee Promise and am trying to understand whether there are disability-related exceptions, appeals, alternative deadlines, or other options for someone in his situation. He graduated last year and appears to have missed most of the normal deadlines/requirements. If anyone knows Tennessee's system specifically, I'd really appreciate some direction.

More broadly, though, I feel like we're missing a major piece here.

I'd like to get him properly evaluated so that we actually understand what we're dealing with rather than guessing. I'm wondering whether we should be pursuing neuropsychological testing, ADHD evaluation, evaluation for learning/intellectual/developmental disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, disability services through a community college, or something else entirely.

What would you do next if this were an 18-year-old in your family?

Are there government programs, vocational rehabilitation services, disability employment programs, educational programs, evaluations, accommodations, or other resources we should be pursuing?

And if the military ultimately isn't realistic, what other directions should we be exploring for a young adult with this profile who genuinely wants to work and become independent but may need substantial structure and support to get there?

I'm particularly interested in paths that could eventually lead to stable employment and as much independence as he's capable of achieving.

I don't want his options at 18 to become "military or nothing." He's motivated, he's willing to work, and I think he deserves a much more deliberate transition into adulthood than he's received so far.

Any ideas, experiences, resources, or even things you think we're approaching incorrectly would be greatly appreciated.