To get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done — that's the motto Bermudian theatre actress Rebecca Faulkenberry seems to live by.

She recently decided to hang up her red wig after two years of playing the role of Mary Jane Watson in the Broadway play 'Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark'. Days later news broke that the production was to close on January 4, after months of declining ticket sales.

Ms Faulkenberry said she was sad to hear of the closure considering the extraordinary level of talent and dedication of the cast and crew involved in the show.

“It's different for me because I thought about it and independently made the decision that January was my time to wrap up with 'Spiderman',” she said.

“I felt I had my time and had got everything I could out of the production, but for a lot of other people, although there may have been speculation about a closure, nothing was set in stone, so it's different for them.

“Sadly it's part of theatre and show business. Things open and close and things have to close to make way for something else to open. It's always sad to see a creation reach the end of its time, but you never know its lifespan may continue in Las Vegas or somewhere else.”

She said there was no other theatrical production, which required the level of skill and intricacy as this one. In fact many of the cast members were hired because they had advanced training in areas like martial arts, acrobatics or character acting.

Ms Faulkenberry said she wasn't sure what her next career step would be, however, she is excited about what lies ahead.

She told The Royal Gazette: “I moved to the United States in 2010 and had my first audition with 'Rock Of Ages', which ended up being my first job. Then when I decided to finish with 'Rock of Ages', I left on a Sunday night and opened with 'Spiderman' the following Thursday, so it's been three, almost four years, of doing eight shows a week in theatre without any break.

“When you play a principle, you don't want to take many holidays, so I have taken maybe three weeks' vacation in the past three and a half years.

“So part of my decision to leave ['Spiderman'] was based on wanting to have time to take a breather, but also to do something different and just expand creatively. I have always really believed in trying to build a career that I love, that's based on longevity as opposed to necessarily just being in work.”

She said she was looking forward to having time to regroup in the New Year and seek out her next big challenge — whether that be in film, television or plays.

“What might be advancing me next could be an off-Broadway play with an audience of just 200 people,” she said. “I don't know. I'm just looking for something that can take me in a new direction creatively and further my career in that way.”

She said she was looking forward to coming back to the Island and enjoying quality time with family, friends and her boyfriend. If her schedule allows she also hopes to host a weekend workshop of some sort, that can pass on to Bermudians some of the technical skills she learned during her time in the Big Apple.

She said she still treasures any time she can spend at home and tries to promote the Island every chance she gets.

“My dressing room is covered in Bermuda posters and every interview I do on YouTube or wherever I say how I am from Bermuda and how special it is here.

“I just love coming home and it rejuvenates me. I love New York City too, but it's busy here. It's a necessity for the career I have chosen, but getting some down time every now and then is also nice.”

The actress said 'Spiderman' was monumental for her career.

When she first took the stage for 'Rock of Ages' the production was showing at Helen Hayes, the smallest theatre on Broadway. Fast forward to a few years later and she was starring in Spiderman on the biggest stage in the city.

When asked what factors might have contributed to her success, Ms Faulkenberry said it mostly boiled down to following her gut.

“You have to have some talent, but you quickly learn there are a lot of talented people in the world,” she said.

“I think it's really determination, perseverance and the chances you take with your career, whether that's turning down work with the hope of an opportunity you think will be better, or taking work that pays you nothing because you think the connections you make will be worthwhile. “You have to trust your instincts and know what you want, rather than always doing what you think is practical or smart. I think people are always scared of ever being out of work or missing an opportunity, but you have to take risks.”

She said she actually started off working in a coffee shop when she first moved to the United States.

“I was working on the West End [in London, UK] and decided I wanted to do something here in New York.

“As it always seems to work, I got three job offers back in London when I decided to move. My agent thought I should take one of those roles, but I felt this was where I needed to be. I saw the potential for something better.

“If you feel uncomfortable or like you out of your element that's when you know you are doing something right. It's about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone,” she said.

The rising star said she was indebted to her agency, Paradigm, and agent Jeff Berger for really supporting whatever directions she plans to take in her career.

For updates on what Ms Faulkenberry is up to next you can like her fan page on Facebook.