The Best Audition Songs for American Idiot – By Character
If you’re looking for audition songs for American Idiot, it’s best to choose a rock song from either musical theatre or non-theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song 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 by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.
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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
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just keep in mind that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
There’s usually a spot on the audition form asking if you are open to being in the ensemble or accepting a different role. I would suggest ticking that box and taking whatever you are offered. Every role is important, and you will earn valuable experience in a show.
And on that same note, even if you audition for the ensemble (rather than a specific character), there’s always a chance of being cast in a leading or supporting role!
To summarize, keep an open mind and try not to take the process too seriously. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
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]
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
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
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:
• “At the Table” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Bread and Circuses” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Fun House Mirror” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “That’s All I Got➝” from Other Desert Cities (Trip)
• “The Whiz” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!
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! The following 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
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these audition songs for American Idiot did you choose?
And what role are you auditioning for? We would love to hear all about it in the comments! And in the meantime, you can check out our database of best audition songs for other musicals.
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
