How to Pick the Right Songs for Musical Theatre Auditions
- Tina Golden
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
What Is a Musical Theatre Audition?
A musical theatre audition is your chance to show casting directors who you are as a performer. It’s not just about singing a few bars—it’s about stepping into a room and proving you can bring a character to life through voice, acting, and presence. You’ll typically prepare a short song (often 16 or 32 bars), and sometimes a monologue or dance call, depending on the production. These few minutes can determine whether you get a callback—or go back to the waiting game. But with the right preparation, strategy, and material, you can walk into the room with confidence and make a real impression.
WHAT IS AN AUDITION CUT
It is a short part of a song that you would bring to the audition, sheet music with accompanist provided who will sight read your music on the spot and you are showcasing to the casting table if you can sing for their show. If they like you and see that your voice is fitting to their vision, they will give you a callback which is the second round of auditions.
LENGTH OF CUT
8, 16 or 32 bar cut of a song
8 bar is about 15- 20 seconds
16 bar is about 30-45 seconds long
32 bar is about 1 min to 1 min and 45 seconds long.
TYPE OF SONGS
Golden Age Ballad
Golden Age Up-tempo
Contemporary Ballad
Contemporary Up-tempo
Pop/Rock Ballad
Pop/Rock Up-tempo
Other:
Disney
Jukebox
Comedic
WHEN CHOOSING A SONG
3 things it needs to have that will show you off the best and still be a song that you like
Range
Technique
Storytelling
Range: If you state in your resume that you are an Alto singer, you need to show that you can sing as low as F3 to F5. However, you also don't want to choose a song that goes too high if you are unable to maintain that even on a "bad" day. If casting needs to see how high you can truly sing, they will test you by asking you to sing some scales with the accompanist.
If you are mezzo, A3-A5.
If you are mezzo-soprano A3-C6.
If you are a soprano, C4-E6
These are general measurements of vocal ranges for each voice type.
Technique: Pick a song that shows how you have training. Training involves someone who knows how to control their volume, breathe properly, have good posture, how to shape their voice into different qualities, and being able to incorporate dynamics, speed, and mood. You shouldn’t belt if you don’t know how to do it. It’s just dangerous for you and it won't sound good if you never trained how to control your belt. It’s not about being loud either. Knowing how to convey the true message in your song without shouting is how you show you have training.
Person A: Brings in a belt song and remains loud the entire time
Person B: Brings in the same belt song but have control over dynamics to show emotion.
Which person do you think is a more reliable singer?
Storytelling: Choose a song that takes the listener on a journey. There should be a clear sense of movement—either the start of a journey, the middle of a struggle, or the resolution of a conflict. The character in the song needs a driving motivation, something they’re grappling with or trying to overcome. Without that emotional arc, it’s just a feel-good track that may sound pleasant but ultimately goes nowhere. A compelling story gives the song depth, making it resonate on a deeper, more human level.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SONG FOR THE ROLE YOU WANT
Show: Anything Goes
Role: Hope Harcourt is Soprano
Audition Song Suggestions
If I Loved You from Carousel
I’m A Little Bit In Love from Wonderful Town
Ribbons Down My Back from Hello Dolly
Love, Don’t Turn Away from 110 in the Shade
Role: Reno Sweeney is Mezzo-Soprano
Audition Song Suggestions
Sweet Thursday from Pipe Dream
I’m Goin’ Back from Bells Are Ringing
It’s A Perfect Relationship from Bells Are Ringing
We Deserve Each Other from Me and Juliet
HOW TO KNOW WHICH ONE IS RIGHT
Start by listening to a variety of songs and trying them out. If one stands out, you can consider purchasing the sheet music—but don’t rush into it. First, analyze each song carefully. Does it offer enough range, technical challenge, and storytelling? These elements are key. Once you’ve narrowed it down based on those criteria, make your final decision based on what you genuinely connect with—not what you think others want to hear. Choosing a song you love will always translate better than trying to please someone else.
If you need help and you feel alone, talk to a vocal coach about it. I help many of my students choose songs for their musical theatre auditions.
BOOK HERE: www.tinavocalstudio.com/buildyourvoice
WHERE TO MAKE THE CUT
It depends on the song, but a good rule of thumb is to start where the storytelling begins to intensify—often as it builds toward the climax. That emotional peak followed by some form of resolution creates a satisfying arc, even in a short excerpt. That’s why I often make my cut near the bridge or the final chorus, depending on whether I need a short or long audition cut. Aim to showcase the most compelling moment of the song, both vocally and emotionally.
If you are choosing something last minute, which I don’t recommend but people still do it, I would start at the beginning, first verse first chorus because it’s easier to vocally manage.
Want to see a list of musical theater song suggestions for Female Singers?
Ready to Stop Getting “No”s? Let’s Change That.
If you’re tired of pouring your heart into auditions only to walk away empty-handed, you're not alone—and you don't have to keep spinning your wheels. Whether your cuts aren’t landing, your song choices are falling flat, or you’re just not showing the full range of what you can do, there is a way forward.
I work with performers just like you to refine your audition package, elevate your technique, and tell powerful stories that stick. Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not talented—it means it’s time to sharpen your tools.
Let’s turn those “thank yous” into callbacks.
Book a session with me and let’s get to work.
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