Tips For Choosing Your Musical Theatre Audition Songs

What Audition Songs You Need

To fulfill the requirements of most audition situations, you will need two songs: an up-tempo, and a ballad. Community theatres will usually only ask you for one song, so choose one that suits you and the part you would most like to get. Doing your research on the company and the show you are auditioning for will help you feel confident about your choice.

Always Choose An Audition Song in an Appropriate Style

What sets a show tune apart from other songs is its character. A show tune is sung by a very obvious character, one that you have to become when you sing it. Don't choose an audition song that is anything but a show tune unless you are auditioning for a musical such as Rent, when you are usually asked specifically NOT to do a song from a musical. If you are unsure about the style you should be looking for, look for other shows by the same composer as the show you are auditioning for.

See MusicalTheatreAudition.com's article on Musical Theatre Vocal Repertoire for more information about choosing audition songs for certain show styles.

Your Audition Songs Should Show Your Strengths

Never choose an audition song just because you think that is what the audition panel wants to hear. If your best notes are your low notes, don't sing a song that is too high. If you're best at funny songs, don't do a sad song. Stick with what you're best at when you have the choice, but don't use that as an excuse not to work on your versatility.

Be Yourself

Be the first you, not the 52nd Michael Crawford. Many auditioners have the tendancy to try and copy the style of whoever sang the recorded version of their audition song. DON'T DO THAT! Pick a song that you can identify with, and use it to show your own personality and style, not someone else's. Make sure you practice with only the accompaniment - singing along with a recording will not help you develop your own style. Find characters that suit your personality here.

Choose the Best Audition Song for You

I see postings on discussion boards all the time, asking for audition song suggestions. What people seem to forget is that what makes a song right for you is your voice and personality, the two things that other people cannot see over the internet! If you want a truly great audition song, you'll have to search for it yourself.

Search the song and monologue database for more audition song ideas.

 
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