The Best Audition Songs for 1776 – By Character
When considering audition songs for 1776, it’s fitting to choose a historical or country-tinged song from classic musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because 1776 premiered in 1969, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1950s and 1980s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
Step 1: Review Audition Info
Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (a ballad, something uptempo, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
Step 2: Study the Show
Before auditioning, you should get familiar with the show, and listening to the cast album is a great way to do that. Here’s where you can learn more about 1776.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for 1776
🎶 Need more audition song ideas? Build your audition book with a DIY Rep Book for your voice type: 200+ songs with ranges, tempos, and listening links. Or explore thousands of songs, monologues, and the Character Studio in the Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio→
Abigail Adams
“Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” – Miss Liberty
“Is It Really Me?” – 110 in the Shade
“Mira” – Carnival!
“Something You Never Had Before” – The Gay Life
John Adams
“I Promise You a Happy Ending” – Mack & Mabel
“In My Own Lifetime” – The Rothschilds
“Let’s Not Waste a Moment” – Milk and Honey
“This Is a Great Country” – Mr. President
John Dickinson
* These selections should be performed in your natural accent.
“Grand Parade” – Grand Hotel
“Guido’s Song” – Nine
“The Impossible Dream” – Man of La Mancha
“Welcome Home” – Fanny
🎭 Are you never quite sure which roles to audition for? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Being Good Isn’t Good Enough” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Lay Down Your Head” – Violet
“What Is a Woman?” – I Do! I Do!
“You Oughta Be Here With Me” – Big River
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Come Back to Me” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“Dulcinea” – Man of La Mancha
“Marianne” – The Grand Tour
“Words He Doesn’t Say” – Romance/Romance
Ensemble (Basses)
“Big Fish, Little Fish” – Purlie
“If I Ruled the World” – Pickwick
“If I Have to Live Alone” – The Baker’s Wife
“The Sidestep” – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Ensemble (Contras)
“Before I Kiss the World Goodbye” – Jennie
“Doatsy Mae” – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
“I Don’t Want to Know” – Dear World
“Kiss Her Now” – Dear World
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I Belong Here” – The Grand Tour
“Measure the Valleys” – Raisin
“The Night It Had to End” – Romance/Romance
“What Makes Me Love Him?” – The Apple Tree
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Love, Don’t Turn Away” – 110 in the Shade
“Repent” – On the Twentieth Century
“Simple Little Things” – 110 in the Shade
“Yes, My Heart” – Carnival!
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Will Follow You” – Milk and Honey
“The Only Home I Know” – Shenandoah
“Too Many Tomorrows” – Sweet Charity
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for 1776:
• “In Your Memory” from Shenandoah
• “My First Winter” from Haymarket Eight
• “Nasty Scoundrels” from The Fourteenth of July
• “Something Like This” from Call of the Revolution
• “What War Is” from The Whipping Man
Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free resources on Patreon→
1776 Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in 1776, along with which characters sing in each of them. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose from the below songs for your audition! This is more intended to be used for character research purposes.
* That said, if you’ve specifically been asked to sing a song from the show, you can find the sheet music for the best possible audition songs below.
Act 1:
“Sit Down, John” – Adams, Ensemble
“Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve” – Adams
“Till Then” – Adams, Abigail
“The Lees of Old Virginia” – Lee, Franklin, Adams
“But, Mr. Adams” – Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Ensemble
“Yours, Yours, Yours” – Adams, Abigail
“He Plays the Violin” – Martha, Franklin, Adams
“Cool, Cool, Considerate Men” – Dickinson, Ensemble
“Mama, Look Sharp” – Courier, Ensemble
Act 2:
“The Egg” – Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Ensemble
“Molasses to Rum” – Rutledge
“Compliments” – Abigail
“Is Anybody There?” – Adams, Thomson
“Finale” – Company
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
