There’s one thing you can guarantee you’ll be asked to do at a musical theatre audition: sing. Choosing the right song can set you up for success, whilst a poor choice could send you home before you even make it to the dance recalls.
Your song selection should be one which shows the panel you can handle the unique demands of musical theatre, so naturally, picking a song from a musical helps. But it isn't just about showcasing your vocal talent. It's also an important opportunity to show the audition panel you can connect with the emotion of a song and leave a lasting impression.
The right song can help you to stand out by not only demonstrating your vocal range but also your personality and acting abilities. So, how do you pick the perfect piece?
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Joe Bunker, Musical Director of the Olivier Award-winning West End musical Operation Mincemeat, shares some tips for the factors to consider when searching for the right song.
1. Choose a song within your vocal range
It might sound obvious, but knowing your vocal limits and finding a song that plays to your prime range is important; an audition is not the time to try and hit that high note for the first time. Bunker recommends picking “a song that works for your vocal range, that you can sing 100% of, even on a day when you’re only feeling 65%”.
2. Select a song you can emotionally connect with
The audition panel wants to see your ability to act through song. When making your choice, Bunker suggests picking “something you can connect with emotionally”. Songs with a clear internal journey, struggle or emotional arc can showcase your ability not only to sing, but to act as well.
3. Pick an age-appropriate song
Whatever song you decide to sing, Bunker advises it “should fit well with your casting bracket. There’s nothing more jarring than seeing someone in their early twenties trying to pull off material written for someone twice their age, or where they clearly haven’t had that life experience.”
4. Make it your own
Whilst many people advise avoiding songs that are too well-known, Bunker tells us, “If you really emotionally connect with a song, don’t worry about it being overdone.” He suggests you “try to find something new within it – like moments of humour in songs that on the face of it seem sad, or touches of drama in songs that appear light at first glance. These can make for the most interesting and memorable auditions.”
With these factors in mind, here are 18 songs, suitable for a range of ages, genders and vocal ranges, that will help you to stand out in your next musical theatre audition.
‘I Didn’t Plan It’ from Waitress
This song, performed by the character Becky (late thirties to early fifties) and perfect for mezzo-sopranos, has an emotional, raw feel. It requires a powerful belt, especially in the upper register, but if you can comfortably pull that off, it makes an excellent contemporary choice for those who want to showcase their ability to connect with intense emotions whilst delivering on the song’s rich, soulful, pop-infused style.
‘Michael in the Bathroom’ from Be More Chill
Best suited to male performers in their late teens or early twenties who have a tenor vocal range, this song captures Michael's emotional vulnerability as he navigates feelings of anxiety and isolation, though you can certainly show your versatility by finding moments of comic relief.
‘Still Hurting’ from The Last Five Years
Another contemporary ballad for a mezzo-soprano, ‘Still Hurting’ is sung by Cathy (late twenties to early thirties) at the start of the musical as she struggles to come to terms with the end of her marriage to Jamie. A deeply introspective piece, this song offers the chance to display real emotional vulnerability as well as demonstrate your dynamic vocal range.
‘You’ll Be Back’ from Hamilton
Bursting with a sense of sulky entitlement, King George III’s solo is a chance to show off your comedy chops while hitting strong vocal notes (provided you’re a tenor who can hit falsetto – though this song can also be adapted for a baritone voice). Put your own unique spin on this camp character to leave a lasting impression with the audition panel.
‘Pulled’ from The Addams Family
Perfect for a youthful mezzo-soprano, ‘Pulled’ vocalises Wednesday Addams’ internal tussle between her naturally dark and stoic disposition and new, unfamiliar feelings of love. Whilst it's quirky and comedic, this song is also a revealing moment of change. Plus, its fast-paced, tongue-twisting crescendo is a great opportunity to show off your vocal dexterity and breath control.
‘Evermore’ from Beauty and the Beast
With its sweeping melody and dramatic build, this song from the 2017 live-action remake allows performers in the baritone or baritenor register to demonstrate their range as well as their ability to convey nuanced emotional turmoil, juxtaposing despair and heartbreak with a glimmer of hope.
‘Maybe I Like It This Way’ from The Wild Party
A pivotal song for Queenie, one of the central characters in this musical, ‘Maybe I Like It This Way’ requires a performance that can balance soft, reflective moments with more intense, belted-out notes in the climatic moments of her internal conflict. If you can connect with the complicated and painful nature of love in a toxic relationship, this song could pack a powerful punch in the audition room.
‘Moving Too Fast’ from The Last Five Years
Upbeat and energetic, this song allows the performer to express a mix of excitement, confidence and self-assuredness while also showcasing vocal dexterity due to its pacey tempo.
‘Moment in the Woods’ from Into The Woods
Into the Woods is a great example of composer Stephen Sondheim’s talent for combining sophisticated musicality with rich storytelling. Bunker says he would recommend “many of the songs” from this musical, but singles this one out as a “corridor song”, one which “takes you from A to B”. He tells us that it “really showcases whether you can act because it allows you to demonstrate real internal conflict through song”.
‘Waving Through a Window’ from Dear Evan Hansen
A poignant and highly relatable song exploring the feeling of being excluded and the struggle to be seen by others, ‘Waving Through a Window’ provides tenors (or high baritones) a chance to demonstrate not only their emotional depth, but also their ability to hit those higher notes.
“I Don’t Need Your Love” from SIX the Musical
Well suited to a soprano or mezzo-soprano in their late teens to early thirties, this song has an empowering and defiant tone consistent with the pop-rock elements that characterise SIX. Its strong contemporary sound makes it the ideal choice when auditioning for a similar type of musical, such as Legally Blonde, & Juliet or Mean Girls.
‘Tonight at Eight’ from She Loves Me
Based on the same story that inspired the hit movie You’ve Got Mail, the musical She Loves Me contains a plethora of songs that would work well for an audition. According to Bunker as they all have “great internal geography” as well as being “witty and musically sophisticated”.
‘Popular’ from Wicked
Show the audition panel your charisma, impeccable comic timing and strong vocal skills with this upbeat and catchy song from the long-running Broadway and West End musical. Lean into your unique interpretation of the nuances of this character to give a truly memorable performance.
‘My Time of Day’ from Guys and Dolls
Short and sweet, this song contains lyrics that are “pure poetry,” according to Bunker. “Its harmonic structure really demonstrates whether someone is musical and can really sing.”
‘Cabaret’ from Cabaret
Emphasising the contrast between this song’s vibrant, upbeat melody and Sally Bowles’ underlying despair can make for an exceptionally nuanced, memorable and moving performance. Emily Benjamin does it beautifully here, but of course make it your own to really shine in an audition.
‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Misérables
Though it’s one of the best-known and well-loved songs in musical theatre, ‘Bring Him Home’ is also a fantastic audition piece for showcasing not only a strong baritone voice, but exceptional acting abilities – provided you can truly connect with the depth of emotion Jean Valjean is feeling as he prays for Marius’ safe return.
‘Corner of the Sky’ from Pippin
Tap into the universal quest for a sense of purpose with this poignant and uplifting ballad, showcasing your ability to handle a roaming melody as well as deliver a heartfelt performance.
‘On the Street Where You Live’ from My Fair Lady
A charmingly romantic and lyrical choice, this song is a firm favourite in the golden age of musical theatre canon, and it’s a great choice for a young, passionate tenor. It’s a wistful, sweeping ballad that allows the singer to showcase a strong, traditional musical theatre voice as well as rich emotional expression.
