How to Choose the Perfect Audition Song (Without Using the Same 5 Everyone Else Does)
Musical theatre auditions can feel like walking a tightrope. You want to stand out—but not in a weird way. You want to honor the show’s style—but not blend in so much that they forget you. And most importantly, you want to sing something that shows you off at your absolute best.
Unfortunately, most actors fall into the same trap: choosing one of the five most overdone songs for their type. You know the ones. If you’re a belty ingenue, it’s probably “Gimme Gimme.” If you’re a baritenor, maybe it’s “Santa Fe.” These are great songs—but if the accompanist rolls their eyes when you hand them the sheet music, it’s time to pivot.
In this article, I’ll show you how to choose the perfect audition song without using the same 5 songs everyone else does. You’ll learn:
- How to find songs that fit your voice, type, and the show
- Where to dig up hidden gems that casting hasn’t heard a thousand times
- Why cutting and editing your material matters as much as the song itself
- The best song databases and resources
- My personal process for helping actors find songs that book
Let’s dive in.
🎵 Rule #1: The Song Must Serve You, Not the Other Way Around
Before we talk about avoiding overdone songs, let’s get one thing straight: your audition material should make you look like a star. Full stop.
A “perfect” audition song isn’t about being trendy, edgy, or obscure. It’s about highlighting what makes you irresistible to watch.
Ask yourself:
- Does this sit in my vocal sweet spot?
- Does it allow me to connect emotionally or tell a story?
- Do I feel confident and alive when I sing it?
If you can’t say yes to all three, keep looking.
👤 Step 1: Know Your Type (But Don’t Be Limited By It)
Knowing your “type” is a necessary part of professional acting—but it should be a launchpad, not a cage.
Start by identifying your primary casting type. Are you:
- The quirky best friend?
- The heartthrob lead?
- The comic relief?
- The intense character actor?
Then look at the vocal expectations for that type. Are you expected to belt, riff, croon, or mix?
Now—here’s where it gets fun.
Instead of picking the obvious song for that type, pick the vibe and flip the script.
For example:
- Ingenue? Try a folk or indie musical piece instead of the same Golden Age soprano tune.
- Comic baritone? Try a contemporary legit ballad and show your heart.
- Rock tenor? Pick something that’s emotional and grounded, not just high notes and swagger.
You don’t have to subvert expectations completely—but a little unexpected choice can make you memorable.
🎯 Step 2: Match the Style of the Show
This is the part most actors skip—and it’s a huge mistake.
Casting wants to know: Can I see this person in this show?
So your audition song should:
- Match the era of the musical (Golden Age, contemporary, rock, etc.)
- Match the tone (dark and edgy? heartfelt and nostalgic?)
- Match the composer’s flavor, if possible
Example:
If you’re auditioning for Waitress, don’t sing Be Italian. Instead, sing something with a pop-folk sensibility, like something from Edges or even an indie singer-songwriter musical.
If you’re auditioning for Oklahoma!, consider songs from lesser-known Rodgers & Hammerstein or adjacent Golden Age writers, rather than something from The Sound of Music.
🧠 Step 3: Research Smarter—Use Song Databases & Smart Tools
Here’s where you really get ahead of the competition.
Instead of googling “best audition songs for altos” and clicking the first Pinterest board, use smarter tools.
✅ My Favorite Song Databases:
- Musical Theatre Songs.com
Filter by voice type, style, era, range, and even character vibe. - NewMusicalTheatre.com
Excellent for contemporary songs and emerging composers. You’ll find gems no one else is doing. - ContemporaryMusicalTheatre.com
A curated catalog with lots of under-the-radar songs by current writers. - Your own YouTube deep dive
Try searching “[composer name] cut song” or “[obscure musical] song.”
You’ll be shocked by what’s out there.
🔍 Step 4: Search Beyond Broadway
You don’t have to stick to Main Stream shows.
Try:
- Off-Broadway hits (ex: Fly By Night, Murder Ballad, See Rock City)
- Indie composer songbooks (ex: Joe Iconis, Georgia Stitt, Will Reynolds, Drew Gasparini)
- Songs cut from Broadway scores (search “cut songs from Wicked” etc.)
- International musicals (British musicals like Made in Dagenham, Betty Blue Eyes)
- Cabaret and stand-alone musical theatre songs
Think Kerrigan & Lowdermilk, Pasek & Paul before Dear Evan Hansen.
A rare song = a breath of fresh air in the audition room. Don’t be afraid to bring something they haven’t heard in a year.
✂️ Step 5: Edit Your Cut Like a Director
A good audition cut should feel like a mini-performance.
Casting directors only need 16–32 bars to fall in love with you—so make every second count.
Your cut should:
- Start in the action (no 8-bar intros that go nowhere)
- Build to something (emotionally or vocally)
- End cleanly (avoid awkward fades or unresolved notes)
- Tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end
Even a great song can fall flat if your cut doesn’t go anywhere. Make bold choices. Cut dialogue or verses if needed. You’re not recreating the show—you’re showing you.
Pro tip: Have a coach or director friend watch your cut and give notes. You’ll often find new beats to play or lines that aren’t needed.
📋 Step 6: Build a Repertoire Binder (With Categories!)
Your rep binder is your toolkit. And if it’s only got three songs in it, you’re not prepared for the real world of auditioning.
Organize your binder into categories:
- Golden Age Ballads
- Golden Age Uptempos
- Contemporary Pop/Rock
- Contemporary Legit
- Sondheim
- Comedy Songs
- Character Songs
And here’s the key: Have at least one song per category that fits your voice and vibe.
Need help with that? I’ve got full repertoire lists available by voice type here.
🧠 My Personal Process for Finding Songs That Book
When I coach actors, I always ask 3 questions first:
1. What roles are you going in for this season?
Let’s tailor the song to your target shows. Not every audition needs your “best” song—it needs your right one.
2. What’s your vocal sweet spot?
Some actors look for “impressive” songs when they should look for easy wins. If your high C is shaky, sing that G like it’s your superpower. Ease = confidence = bookability.
3. What story do you want to tell?
A song should show off not just your voice but your acting chops. Even pop/rock songs can be storytelling gold with the right framing.
🚩 Avoid These 5 Common Audition Song Mistakes
1. Overdone to Death
Unless you really bring something new to it, skip “On My Own,” “Waving Through a Window,” “She Used to Be Mine,” “Corner of the Sky,” “Gimme Gimme,” etc. Let them rest.
2. Too Hard for Your Voice
Don’t sing it “because it’s impressive” if you’re going to be tense and breathy. Simple and confident always beats strained and flashy.
3. No Emotional Arc
If it doesn’t go anywhere emotionally, it’s just showing off. The best songs build, change, reveal something.
4. Doesn’t Fit the Show
Bringing a jazzy scat number to an indie-folk musical is not a flex—it’s confusing. Match tone and vibe.
5. It’s “Fine”
If your cut feels bland or boring, trust that the panel feels that too. You want to feel alive, not just “correct.”
💡 Bonus: Great Alternatives to Overdone Audition Songs
Here are a few swaps you can try:
| If You’re Tempted to Sing… | Try This Instead |
|---|---|
| “Gimme Gimme” (Thoroughly Modern Millie) | “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” (White Christmas) or “Climbing Uphill” (The Last Five Years) |
| “Santa Fe” (Newsies) | “Goodbye” (Catch Me If You Can) or “Run Away With Me” (Kerrigan & Lowdermilk) |
| “She Used to Be Mine” (Waitress) | “The Life I Never Led” (Sister Act) or “Simple Little Things” (110 in the Shade) |
| “Corner of the Sky” (Pippin) | “I’m Not Afraid of Anything” (Songs for a New World) or “Flight” (Craig Carnelia) |
🔗 Helpful Resources
- 🎵 MusicalTheatreSongs.com
- 🎼 NewMusicalTheatre.com
- 📚 ActorZilla Repertoire Lists
- 🧠 Coaching: Want help choosing the perfect song for you? Contact me here
🎬 Final Thoughts: Your Song Is Your Story
At the end of the day, a great audition song isn’t about being obscure—it’s about being honest. When a song fits your voice, your heart, and the world of the show, you shine without even trying.
So don’t chase the “perfect” song. Chase the true one. The one that feels like you.
Break a leg—and let me know if you want a second set of ears on your next audition cut.
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