The Best Audition Songs for American Idiot – By Character
When considering audition songs for American Idiot, it’s fitting to choose a rock song from musical theatre or non-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 American Idiot premiered in 2009, the audition songs below are from between the 1990s and 2020s. 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 American Idiot.
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 American Idiot
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
Heather
“Head Above Water” – Avril Lavigne [2010s/non-theatre]
“I Can’t Go Back” – Pretty Woman
“This Is My Life” – Pretty Woman
“The Break” – Next to Normal
Johnny
“I’m Not That Guy” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“Public Life” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“The Saddest Song” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“Under the Westway” – Blur [2010s/non-theatre]
St. Jimmy
“Adam’s Song” – blink-182 [1990s/non-theatre]
“All the Small Things” – blink-182 [1990s/non-theatre]
“I’m Too Hot for You” – School of Rock
“When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock” – School of Rock
Tunny
“Boy Falls From The Sky” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
“Jumper” – Third Eye Blind [1990s/non-theatre]
“New Divide” – Linkin Park [2000s/non-theatre]
“Rise Above 1” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Whatsername
“A Note From Linda” – The Wedding Singer
“Come to Your Senses” – Tick, Tick…BOOM!
“Predator” – Jagged Little Pill
“Saturday Night In The City” – The Wedding Singer
Will
“30/90” – Tick, Tick…Boom!
“Jet Pack Blues” – Fall Out Boy [2010s/non-theatre]
“Real Life” – Tick, Tick…Boom!
“The Kids Aren’t Alright” – Fall Out Boy [2010s/non-theatre]
❓ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or something even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Mary Jane” – Alanis Morissette [1990s/non-theatre]
“On Monday” – 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
“Smiling” – Jagged Little Pill
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Explorers” – Muse [1990s/non-theatre]
“Second Nature” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“Your Eyes” – Rent
Ensemble (Basses)
“Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” – Crash Test Dummies [1990s/non-theatre]
“Something About Her” – Pretty Woman
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Contras)
“Apocalypse Please” – Muse [2000s/non-theatre]
“Bouncing Off the Walls” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
“Step One” – Kinky Boots
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Dead Mom” – Beetlejuice
“I’m Outta Here” – Ghost
“Over” – Lindsay Lohan [2000s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Between Two Lungs” – Florence + the Machine [2000s/non-theatre]
“Eyes Open” – Taylor Swift [2010s/non-theatre]
“Uninvited” – Jagged Little Pill
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Closing Time” – Semisonic [1990s/non-theatre]
“Karma Police” – Radiohead [1990s/non-theatre]
“The Seraph” – 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for American Idiot:
• “Antimatter” from Punk Rock
• “Less Air to Breathe” from Almost, Maine
• “Save the World” from A Piece of My Heart
• “Standing Somewhere” from The Real Thing
• “Too Abstract” from Sylvia
Step 5: Audition Prep
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.
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American Idiot Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in American Idiot, 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.
“American Idiot” – Company
“Jesus of Suburbia” – Johnny, Will, Tunny, Heather, Company
“Holiday” – Johnny, Tunny, Theo, Ensemble
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Johnny, Whatsername, Tunny, Ensemble
“Favorite Son” – Favorite Son, Ensemble
“Are We the Waiting” – Tunny, Favorite Son, Ensemble
“St. Jimmy” – Johnny, Declan, Theo, St. Jimmy, Ensemble
“Give Me Novacaine” – Will, Tunny, Ensemble
“Last of the American Girls / She’s a Rebel” – Johnny, Whatsername, St. Jimmy, Ensemble
“Last Night On Earth” – St. Jimmy, Whatsername, Heather, Ensemble
“Too Much Too Soon” – Theo, Alysha, Will, Heather
“Before the Lobotomy” – Tunny, Joshua, Ben, Chase
“Extraordinary Girl” – Extraordinary Girl, Tunny, Ensemble
“Before the Lobotomy (Reprise)” – Tunny, Joshua, Ben, Chase
“When It’s Time” – Johnny
“Know Your Enemy” – St. Jimmy, Will, Johnny, Ensemble
“21 Guns” – Whatsername, Extraordinary Girl, Heather, Tunny, Johnny, Will, Ensemble
“Letterbomb” – Whatsername, Ensemble
“Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Johnny, Will, Tunny, Ensemble
“Homecoming” – Company
“Whatsername” – Johnny, Company
“Good Riddance” – 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.
