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.
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Gabby Wang: "Ever since I was young, I’ve always loved sewing and designing clothing. I remember draping fabric over my dolls to create new outfits beyond the clothing that came with the doll. I’ve always wanted to make my own clothes for myself but never thought that I could–but one day in college, I saw a TikTok of a simple pattern for beginners, and thought that today was the day. I sewed my first pair of pants and have had the sewing bug ever since. I now make clothing as gifts for my friends and family, and I am so glad that I finally tried this skill that I’d been dreaming of for so long. I was holding myself back because I was afraid of being bad, but you’re the only one who can go for the things that you want in this world. I’m glad I took that first step to make it happen!"
Craig Fiedler: "Making life changing decisions can be difficult, but my wife and I are in the middle of one right now. We are foster parents that enjoy the crazy that comes with our 14-year-old foster son. We have all agreed to become a family. The paperwork is being completed and we are nervous about what is next. Adoption is the goal, but life together is what matters. We got the opportunity for us to all see our first Broadway show this summer. I think it opened his mind up to how great theatre can be, and we hope to be able to continue with more adventures in life and on Broadway."
Cole Tidemann: "My entire family grew up as farmers in Wisconsin. Being the youngest of 5, my older siblings all worked with my dad, either driving or helping on the farm. However, my life path completely changed when he and I were in a car crash that required him to amputate his left leg below the knee. We had no money to afford prosthetics, and barely could pay the medical bills for the surgery. I knew how hard it was for my dad to go from being on his feet everyday to being completely wheelchair-bound. I went to my dad and told him my desire to get a medical degree in creating prosthetics. He knew that it meant I had to leave home, but gave me the biggest hug and said, 'I’ll see you when you get back.' I called him every week during the seven years it took to get my bachelor’s and then master’s degree in prosthetics. One week after finishing school, I finally created the prosthetic for my dad’s leg and helped teach him how to walk again. It was the most rewarding moment of my entire life."
Candice Jackson: "I resigned from a six-figure position in academia and took a year off to recenter. 'Securing the bag' was almost traumatic, and as a Black woman, I railed against the expectations of who I was supposed to be. I returned to the classroom, which freed me to publish two novels and volunteer with a non-profit to direct a film festival (now in our third year), and work in independent film production (often for little or no money). I was able to serve my community in ways the 'big job' didn't afford despite the high salary, because now I had time to offer, rather than a check to write. I could serve my church and my community organizations freely, because I decided that showing up for the people and causes that mattered to me was more important. I can love more intentionally."
Qin Li: "I'm a Chinese immigrant who developed a profound passion for the enchanting world of live theatre when I came to pursue my graduate studies. Since then, I've been making a monthly pilgrimage from Boston to NYC to indulge in Broadway shows and various other theatrical performances.When the pandemic struck, confining me to lockdown and depriving me of the theatre's magic, I found myself yearning for a way to stay connected to the art form I cherished. I turned to Chinese social media and discovered kindred spirits within my local community. Today, I am administering a group chat of over 300 Chinese people living in Boston, all united by a shared passion for theatre. Within this vibrant community, we exchange invaluable information about upcoming shows, share insightful reviews, and occasionally arrange in-person gatherings to attend performances together. Through this group chat, I've not only expanded my theatre network but also forged real-life friendships that I hold dear."
Ana Cecilia García: "I graduated from college having zero ideas of what I wanted to do with my life, but I always had jewelry. I was really good at making necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, so that's what I did. At the beginning it was hard and I made very little money, but I was happy, and somehow that was everything that mattered. I started by selling to my friends, and then one of my friend's aunts asked me for some products for her store, and that's how everything changed. I had more clients and more money, but also this feeling of satisfaction that I have never felt, and also that I had never realized I need."
