Each month for a year Prudential is gifting free tickets to theatre fans from across the U.S. with the Prudential Marquee Moments Broadway Ticket Giveaway, presented by Playbill. For the chance to win, entrants are answering the prompt, "Tell us about a time you seized the moment and—after asking yourself, ‘Now what?’—changed your life for the better?" in a short essay or video. Read a few of last month's most stirring responses below.
Want to share your own story and enter to win your own Broadway tickets? Click here.
Juliana Rios: "I have loved theatre all my life. I was always interested in singing, dancing, and acting. However, when I started applying for college, I wasn't sure if I wanted to pursue it. I knew I had to do something musical with my life, so I seized my moment and applied for music therapy. I had found out about this career through television, and now that I've seized the day, I don't regret a single moment. This degree challenges me every day. I've had both very high highs and very low lows while studying. But now I'm at the point in my career where I'm applying for internships, and I've realized that I am right where I belong. By making the choice to entirely change my dreams and aspirations on a whim, I opened up doors to a whole new world of music appreciation and helping others through my art craft. I feel so confident in my choice, and I am so glad I found a college and a career where I truly feel like I thrive and belong. May music always have a place in my life—I will appreciate it forever."
Seth Gardner: "As a choir director, I was always hesitant to submit my choirs to perform at conferences. A few years ago, I ignored my 'imposter syndrome' and submitted recordings of my choir to perform at the FMEA conference in Tampa. My choir was the only choir selected to perform at the noon time concert series. This gave me the courage to put myself out there even more. Now I am the Secretary of the Florida Chapter of the ACDA and the All State Coordinator of the Florida Vocal Association."
Christine Curcio: "My dad passed away my senior year of high school. I remember I wanted to stay home with my mom and just let life pass me by. However, I thought about what he would want me to do and instead I picked myself up, went away to college, graduated Magna Cum Laude, and continued to have a successful career!"
Tina Coleman: "At a church retreat 7 years ago, I shared that l thought a clown ministry would be a great way to connect ages and abilities in fun and service. My table challenged me to get it started. Although I don't yet have a church group, I've now been coached by former Ringling clowns, performed in a circus, and brought fun to events and festivals as Clementine the Clown. I also serve as chaplain for our regional clown association and have served in worship in my home church as Clementine. Much joy and fun brought to me and others because someone said, 'Well, why not give it a try?'"
Philip Parks: "I went back to school to get my degree and teaching credential at 48. It changed my life. The stars aligned and I became an English/theatre teacher, then an assistant principal, and finally a principal. I had the opportunity to create a school for the arts within my district. That became Otay Ranch Academy for the Arts. The concept of the school is to teach all subjects through the arts. Although I have retired, the school is still thriving and I think of it as my legacy."
Jenelle Russell: "Two days before my wedding day, I broke it off. After all of the dust had settled and all I had left was an unused wedding dress, it was that question of 'Now what?' I had no reason to stay where I am, and there was a great big world. I packed up my suitcase, bought a one-way ticket to London, and enrolled in pastry school. A year after graduation, I now work in NYC for one of the best restaurants in the world."
