The Worst Types of Audition Songs, Part 1: When Your Song Doesn’t Fit the Show

(Photo: ufabizphoto)

by Chris Peterson

I want to start a series about bad audition song choices.

And I should probably clarify something right away. I don’t mean bad songs.

Some of the worst songs you can bring into an audition are fantastic songs. Songs you love or sing really well. They can still be completely wrong for the audition.

Before we begin, let’s make sure to mention that this is my opinion, and I’m sure plenty of people have differing thoughts on this.

But let’s start with one of the biggest mistakes I see newer actors make: choosing material that has absolutely nothing to do with the musical they’re auditioning for.

If you’re auditioning for a Cole Porter musical, walking in with something from Rent probably isn’t helping you.

Same thing if you’re auditioning for Rodgers & Hammerstein and you’ve prepared something from Next to Normal.

Could you sing it beautifully? Absolutely. But that’s not really the point.

When you audition, the creative team should be trying to figure out whether they can picture you inside the world of their show. Your song should make that job easier.

Think about what you’re auditioning for.

What kind of vocal style does it require? What era was it written in? Rock? Golden Age? Pop?

You don’t necessarily need to sing another Rodgers & Hammerstein song when auditioning for Rodgers & Hammerstein. But I need to hear something that makes sense next to it.

If I’m casting The Sound of Music, hearing you sing a screaming contemporary rock song tells me very little about how you’re going to handle that score.

Auditioning isn’t a concert. You’re not trying to show the room every cool thing your voice can do in 32 bars. You’re giving them a small piece of evidence that says, “I understand the kind of show you’re making, and I could belong in it.”

So before your next audition, don’t just ask yourself, “Do I sound good singing this?”

Ask a better question.

“If they hear me sing this, can they imagine me singing their show?”

If the answer is no, save the song for another audition.