Choosing the perfect audition song can be overwhelming. There are so many choices and elements to consider – your vocal range, the character you want to play, and the type of musical production you’re auditioning for. Here are a few guidelines for finding the right fit.

Pick a song in the style of the show. If you are auditioning for a pre 1960s Golden Age show like The Sound of Music, search for songs by composers like Rodgers & Hammerstein. Similarly, if you are auditioning for a show like Heathers, don’t come in singing something from The Sound of Music.

Stay away from songs that are overdone or made famous by a Broadway celebrity. Examples of this would be:

• Don’t Rain on My Parade
• Maybe This Time
• Astonishing
• Watch What Happens
• Gorgeous
• Anything from Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Miserables
• Anything professionally recorded by Sutton Foster, Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth, Gavin Creel, Jeremy Jordan or Barbara Streisand
• Anything Sondheim UNLESS you are actually auditioning for a Sondheim show
• Anything Jason Robert Brown UNLESS you want your accompanist to cry

Stay away from completely obscure songs. Most of the time they are obscure for a reason and the casting team will be too busy asking themselves “What is this from???” rather than listening to your audition.

Pick a song that showcases you and hints at the role you’re interested in. Choose a song that shows your range, acting ability and something that YOU personally connect with. If you sing a song beautifully but have no connection to it, it will come off as boring and dishonest. Be exciting and truthful instead!

Break a leg!