What Are the Best Musical Theatre Songs for Auditions?

The nerves and jitters mixed with excitement and – hopefully – confidence are how nearly everyone walks into their first musical theater audition. It can be scary walking onto that stage, seeing only shadows in the audience. All eyes are on you – what will you sing? Check out the best musical theatre songs here!

Knowing that this moment is the one that can make your dreams come true or crush your spirit (only for the moment, of course), you need to be sure that you have the perfect audition song ready to belt out. Though, it just cannot be any song. You cannot simply choose your favorite song from your favorite musical because it is your favorite.

If you want to leave a good impression at your musical theater audition, you need to make sure that you choose the song that meets who you are as a person as well as your talent.

So, what are the best musical theatre songs for auditions? Check them out now.

Kids Tunes

There are a ton of songs to choose from for adults, but not so much for kids. And, with so many kids wanting to be stars – and parents working so hard to find the right song – sometimes it can be helpful to think outside the box. You know, how many times can directors hear little girls sing Annie’s “Tomorrow,” before they stop listening?

Here is a list of some perfect songs for the talented kiddos.

For the girls:

• “Not for the Life of Me” from Thoroughly Modern Millie
• “Will He Like Me” from She Loves Me</i
• “Far from the Home I Love” from Fiddler on the Roof
• “The Stepsister’s Lament” from Cinderella

For the boys:

• “Me” from Beauty and the Beast
• “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from Les Misérables
• “Now While I’m Around” from Sweeney Todd</i
• “Lost in the Darkness” from Jekyll and Hyde

Teens Tunes

Teens are caught a bit in the middle. Depending on their size and vocals, they can still get away with singing kids tunes, but can also focus on adult tunes, as well. In fact, for those looking to be taken seriously in theater and maybe even make a career, focusing on the more grown-up roles may be a wise choice.

For young men:

• “This is the Moment” from Jekyll and Hyde
• “Santa Fe” from Newsies
• “One Song Glory” from Rent
• “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from Les Misérables

For young women:

• “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl
• “Still Hurting” from The Last Five Years
• “On My Own” from Les Misérables
• “If I Loved You” from Carousel

Adult Tunes

For those adults who are trying to impress on the stage, there are a ton of songs to choose from. Again, though, you want to stay outside the box a bit, trying to avoid the overdone popular audition tunes. We have put together a list based on vocals.

Alto:

• “Welcome to the ’60s” from Hairspray
• “Pulled” from The Addams Family
• “Always True to You in My Fashion” from Kiss Me Kate

Baritone:

• “Heart” from Damn Yankees
• “To My Wife” from Fanny
• “It Only Takes a Moment” from Hello, Dolly!

Bass:

• “Mr. Cellophane” from Chicago
• “Comedy Tonight” from A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum
• “Ol’ Man River” from Showboat

Contra:

• “Easy as Life” from Aida
• “A Home for You” from Bat Boy: The Musical

Mezzo-Soprano:

• “Back to Before” from Ragtime
• “No One Know Who I Am” from Jekyll and Hyde
• “Please Don’t Make Me Love You” from Dracula

Soprano:

• “It’s a Fine, Fine Line” from Avenue Q
• “Moonfall” from The Mystery of Edwin Drood
• “Home” from Beauty and the Beast

Tenor:

• “I Believe” from Book of Mormon
• “Close Every Door” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• “Fortune Favors the Brave” from Aida

Contemporary Tunes

Are you into contemporary theater? This type of theater allows for so much musical expression, creative expression, and a sense for relaying strong emotions. If you are expressive and want to show off this side of your ability, then perhaps contemporary tunes are where you need to turn your attention.

Below are some great choices based on your vocals:

• Alto: “Smiling” from Jagged Little Pill
• Baritone: “Footprint” from The Theory of Relativity 
• Bass: “Something About Her” from Pretty Woman
• Contra: “There Was John” from Tootsie
• Mezz-Soprano: “Everything Changes” from Waitress
• Soprano: “How Will I Know?” from Death Takes a Holiday 
• Tenor: “The Wall in My Head” from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
• Treble: “Time to Play” from School of Rock

For the Belters

And, finally, we have a category for those with the big voices. You know, the ones who easily belt out tunes that can blow the audience away. These songs have to be good and strong and worthy of such talent. They have to be just right – and they have to fit the audition. If you are up for them, then here are some belt-able tunes just for you:

• “Holding Out for a Hero” from Footloose
• “Morning Person” from Shrek the Musical
• “I Get a Kick Out of You” from Anything Goes
• “Dead Girl Walking” from Heathers
• “Roxie” from Chicago
• “The Wizard and I” from Wicked
• “All for You” from Seussical
• “I Can Cook Too” from On the Town
• “Fly Fly Away” from Catch Me If You Can
• “Shy” from Once Upon a Mattress

Conclusion

Being up on stage is always an opportunity to share your talent and your love for the stage. It doesn’t matter where you are in your journey or what role you are trying to obtain; it is your job to make everyone see how you belong right there where you are standing. But let’s be real – there is a lot of natural talent out there, but making a good impression requires practice, dedication, and perseverance.

Choose a song or two that fit your stage in life and your vocal range. Find the sheet music and begin to practice. Sing wherever you go and for whoever will listen. (Even strangers at the park will do). The more comfortable you become singing your audition song, the easier it will be to make your mark on audition day.