How to Select an Audition Song
The audition is your first chance to make a lasting impression. The song you choose speaks volumes about you and your skills as a musical theatre performer.
But don’t let the pressure of picking the perfect song overwhelm you.
PAA Resident Directors have outlined simple, strategic steps to choosing the best song for your next audition.
How to Select an Audition Song:
- Do your research
Research the show BEFORE selecting your audition piece. Your main goal is to determine the style of the show. For example, is it comedic or dramatic? Is it golden-age or contemporary? This simple step sets the stage for a successful audition.
- Stay within the style of the show
If it is a jukebox musical made up of pop songs, pick a pop song. If it is a golden-age show, pick a golden-age song. If it’s a Disney musical, pick a song from another Disney musical. NOTE: Avoid choosing a song from the musical you are auditioning for. It can feel predictable and limit your opportunity to showcase your range and creativity.
- Know your role
Decide if there is a specific role you are going for and tailor your song to that role.
- Select a song you enjoy
Directors can sense if you are not enjoying your song choice. Bring your best to the audition process and select a piece you truly enjoy performing.
- Pick an appropriate cut
This may be the beginning of the song, the bridge, or even at the end. The lyrics should tell the story you want to share during the audition. Your song should illustrate character development skills and evoke emotion.
Pro-tip: Consider an “I want” song – a solo where a character clearly expresses what they deeply desire.”I want” songs give directors insight into your emotional connection, acting choices, and storytelling skills. View 33 “I Want” songs here.
- Age appropriate
Always choose an age-appropriate song.
- Stay within your range
Select a song that best suits your vocal range. Staying within your vocal range highlights your strengths, boosts your confidence, and results in a dynamic audition.
- Don’t miss the details
Read ALL of the audition information. Don’t miss details such as requests for 16 or 32 bars of music – a verse and refrain that is about 45 seconds to a minute when performed. Check out PAA’s YouTube Short: What is a 32 Bar Cut
- Accommodate the Accompanist
Make sure your sheet music is printed clearly and neatly, so it is easy for the accompanist to read, and clearly marked so they know where to start and stop. Also, it MUST be in the correct key. An accompanist will not transpose the key during the audition. Check out PAA’s YouTube Shorts: How to work with an accompanist and Organizing your Sheet Music
- Avoid Overdone
Avoid singing overdone songs, such as “Tomorrow” from Annie or “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. Your song selection is another opportunity to illustrate your creative skills.
- Build a repertoire
The goal is to curate a minimum of 5 – 6 go-to audition songs to avoid having to find new material for each audition. Your curated list should include many genres, such as a classic uptempo/ballad, a contemporary uptempo/ballad, a pop/country song, etc.
Looking for more audition tips? Check out PAA’s Audition Page for more resources.
