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.

Yanil Rosario: "I came to the US when I was 16 years old to live with my uncle from the Dominican Republic without knowing any English. Even though I was born in NY, I grew up in DR all my life (since my family lives there). Since my mother is a single mother of 3, I believe it was best for me to come to the states to study so my mother did not have to pay for my education. It was a hard decision to make, but in the end, I graduated without debt, and I am currently an engineer in one of the top construction companies in NYC."

Zahra Khan: "I interned at the White House in the fall of 2018. For a 19 year old who just finished her freshman year in college, this was pretty much unheard of. Earlier that year, my family sent me the application and encouraged me to apply. I was sure it was a long shot, but I thought to myself, 'Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?' I realized the worst thing that could happen was if I never tried, because six months later I was accepted as one of the youngest interns in the program that term. Since my incredible experience meeting the President, working with high level officials and watching Air Force One take off from the South Lawn, I have had more career opportunities available to me. People are always curious to hear about my experience and so they offer me an interview, and then I’m able to win them over with my outgoing personality, which was fostered by years of doing musical theater as a kid. During this time I also cultivated my love of musicals and storytelling."

Kathleen Cirioli: "After my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, which at that time was my second cancer, having also had ovarian cancer at age 19, I rewrote the lyrics to the tune 'Button Up Your Overcoat,' changing the lyrics to 'Go And Get Your Mammogram.' I’m a tap dancer so I choreographed a tap dance and performed it at a breast cancer event where I was invited to speak about how my art form helped me get through the difficult times. This opportunity led to an appearance on the Rosie O’Donnell show, which led me to forming a not-for-profit to financially help local women fighting breast cancer. To date, Dance for the Cure has donated well over a million dollars to women in need. Currently, I am in remission from surgery and treatment for lung cancer. Every day is a gift. My motto at age 72 is 'You don’t stop tap dancing because you get old…you get old because you stop tap dancing.'"

Sonique Graham: "A friend urged me to join in and sing in front of everyone at a karaoke party. Panic set in as I am not only introverted, but also terribly afraid of public speaking or performing. However, a voice inside me urged, 'Now what? Seize the moment!' So, I took a deep breath, pushed aside my apprehensions, and went for it. At first, my heart pounded and my hands trembled, but as the music started, the fear melted away, I had no choice but to go for it, and I found myself enjoying the moment. I couldn't believe it! It was fun, and I was actually enjoying myself. This experience taught me a powerful lesson–fear is often just a construct of our minds, holding us back from experiences we could cherish. Realizing that everyone present was there to have a good time, and not to judge me, was liberating. Moreover, the thought that I might never see these people again after the party added to my newfound courage. I let go of my inhibitions and embraced the joy of the moment."

Santhosh Paulus: "In 2015, I wanted to bike across the country to celebrate turning 40. I trained for months, and about 6 months before our trip, I was diagnosed with HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). My cardiologist said I could not bike more than 20 miles a day. To be safe, the trip needed bikers to train with 100 miles daily. I had to ask, 'Now what?' I was disappointed, but my other cyclists and my family wouldn’t let me stay discouraged. I had a defibrillator put in a month before our launch from Seattle, still sore from surgery. The first time I biked on the trip was on my 40th birthday, and it was very emotional. I biked 5 miles that day. I spent most of the trip back to NY driving the support vehicle and cheering on the team. It wasn’t how I planned it, but it was amazing in its own way. We created a lot of great memories as a family and raised $35,000 to fight human trafficking. I’m glad I didn’t quit and instead asked, 'Now what?'"

Jerry Beach: "When my daughter saw this contest, she immediately started writing. Since she was disappointed that she is not eligible (she is 10 years old), I said this can be my entry. After all, the greatest chance I ever took was in becoming a parent. She wrote: 'When I was in 4th grade, I decided to participate in the school talent show. But the night of my first practice, I had butterflies in my stomach, a racing heart, and fear that I could not do it. I knew I would have an amazing time, but that was only if I succeeded. What if I forgot the lyrics? What if I tripped? Would people make fun of me? Or would they be supportive? Things like that kept popping into my head. But in the back of my mind, I knew that my friends and family would be supportive no matter what happened. So I went out there and rocked it! The butterflies flew away and the fear chased after them. It was a challenge going onto that stage, but it was worth it!'"