Interview: Rebecca Faulkenberry, Broadway Actor on “Rock Of Ages”

by Meredith Interviews

Guest Post today from ReachOut Council member Chloe, interviewing Rebecca Faulkenberry, Broadway actor and singer and lead of the NYC production of Rock of Ages. This is the first in a series of interviews Chloe is making with performers on Broadway about what's gotten them through a tough time. Also, check out Rebecca's and Chloe's bio at the end!

Chloe: How long have you been performing?

Rebecca: I did my first show when I was seven years old in Bermuda, that’s where I grew up. It was at the city hall; I played Molly in “Annie”. I did every community show from then on that I could do until I left Bermuda, and did it for years in school when I majored in [theatre] in college.

Chloe: What inspired you to pursue a career as a performer?

Rebecca: It was just something I was always doing. I watched a lot of musicals when I was younger. Cannon Video had these musical fairytales that they made that had Amy Irving and Christopher Walken in them, and I watched those from when I was about 3 or 4, and then I started to watch The Sound of Music and Peter Pan. I think from all of those I just loved dressing up and singing and performing. It kind of came from all of that probably, but it was just something I was always doing.

Chloe: Who in your life, either professionally or personally, do you look up to or admire and why?

Rebecca: I don’t really have one particular actress that I put as my goal to be like but there are incredible actresses who I admire. Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett are incredible actresses. Vocally, I love Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald. There’s not anyone I really try to emulate, but I love anyone who can do a musical and put across a believable character. I think having proper acting in the context of a musical is often so overlooked. As far as a broad career, anyone who can have a family and an actual life outside of their job. It takes a lot to say “No, I’m going to take a vacation and see my friends” because you just want to be here all of the time and be able to audition for anything, so it takes a lot to balance that all.

Chloe: Describe a tough time or personal struggle that you’ve dealt with.

Rebecca: There have been a couple times during this where I have been really poor and that’s always hard because you can’t pay your bills or your rent, and the last thing you want to do is call your parents and ask for help. And there’s a lot of upkeep you need to do; you need to go to classes and stuff is this is something that you want to continue doing, so it’s a struggle. I’ve been very fortunate that two or three months is the longest that I’ve gone without work, but it’s still hard. In my personal life, I dealt with all of the normal teenage stuff.

I had really pretty friends so I never had the boyfriends, and when I was fifteen and sixteen years old, I was somewhat awkward looking...And when I was young I got bullied for a while. It used to bother me but I was so determined that I didn’t really care; I always said to myself “I’m gonna go away and get really famous and really pretty and you’re all gonna wish that you were my friend”, but that’s just negative energy that’s not worth holding onto. I had so many activities that I didn’t socialize as much because I was so busy all of the time.
Chloe: Who/what helped you get through your tough times, both in your career and in your personal life?

Rebecca: Myself and my parents, I have a really great support system. My mom always told me to ignore them and ignore what they were saying, but I wish that I had stuck up for myself a little more. Also the arts, singing and acting and just having a goal of what I wanted to do, and that was my big plan so it didn’t really matter what was going on. I have like two or three really close friends. You don’t need tons and tons of friends or to be really popular. You need the people who you know are there for you and that’s what most important. That’s all I needed, a few really close friends and my goal.

Chloe: What message or advice would you send to those who are either looking to get into performing or are just trying to deal with tough times?

Rebecca: It will be alright; it all gets better. When I was going through a tough breakup and I was crying and sobbing and thought it was going to be the end of the world, my mom’s friend just said “Listen, you’re going to be alright and there’s going to be a point your life when this is not going to matter”, and she was right. So whenever things are horrible and I don’t have a job, I just tell myself that tomorrow, it’s all gonna be fine and I won’t feel so bad.

Everyone gets rejected, it’s a part of trying to do something big and trying to accomplish something and it’s not the easy way. It’s hard, that’s why it’s something that not a lot of people get to do, so nothing comes easily. If you’re having struggles with others, don’t stay within yourself. Seek out other people, but just be smart. If there’s someone who’s really cool and you therefore want to hang out but doesn’t treat you right or make you happy, don’t be friends with them and let them treat you that way. It’s just negative energy. Some people have a positive energy and bring good things into your life and uplift you, and others are negative. Even if you find yourself drawn to them, like a girl drawn to the “bad boy,” they won’t be a positive impact on your life and that’s okay. Focus on what’s good in your life and the positive.

What helps keep you positive? Have you ever had dreams of acting or performing on stage?

About Rebecca
Bermuda native Rebecca Faulkenberry is joining the Broadway company straight from the first national tour of Rock of Ages. Theatre credits include Aunt Dan and Lemon (Royal Court, West End); High School Musical 1 (Hammersmith Apollo, West End) and 2 (Fox Theatre); The Shape of Things (RADA); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (West Yorkshire Playhouse); The Royal Family, Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup, Smoke on the Mountain. TV/film; “Doctors” (BBC1). This is her Broadway debut.

About Chloe
Hi there! My name's Chloe and I'm originally from New York but currently living in South County,  Rhode Island. I'm a freshman psychology major and a Non-Violence and Peace Studies minor at the University of Rhode Island. Although I am studying psychology, I have a real passion for musical theatre and performing and my ultimate dream would be to perform on Broadway one day. In my spare time, I like to read, sing, dance, shop, hang out with my friends, and have a good time. I am so excited to be a part of the Youth Council and happy to have the chance to get involved in helping out others!