The Best Audition Songs for Bandstand – By Character

If you’re looking for audition songs for Bandstand, it’s best to choose a jazzy song from contemporary musical 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 Bandstand premiered in 2015, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 2000s 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.

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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 Bandstand.

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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, decide which character you’d like to audition for. And finally, choose a suitable song from the list below!

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Donny

“Come Back” – Dogfight

“Butter Outta Cream” – Catch Me If You Can

“Nicky Machiavelli” – A Bronx Tale

“When You Say Vegas” – Honeymoon in Vegas

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Julia

“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde

“I Could Go Back” – Fugitive Songs

“I’d Rather Watch You” – Adding Machine

“Jazz Time” – Marguerite

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Mrs. Adams

“Another Winter in a Summer Town” – Grey Gardens

“Around the World” – Grey Gardens

“Brave Thing” – Fangirls

“Love and Love Alone” – The Visit

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Ensemble (Altos)

“At the Old Majestic Nickel Matinee” – Some Like It Hot

“This Is What It Is” – The Wild Party (LaChiusa)

“You Can Always Count on Me” – City of Angels

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“A Little Luck” – Honeymoon in Vegas

“Don’t Break the Rules” – Catch Me If You Can

“The Pinstripes Are All That They See” – Catch Me If You Can

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Ensemble (Basses)

“Come to an Agreement” – Honeymoon in Vegas

“Love Sneaks In” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

“The Man Inside the Clues” – Catch Me If You Can

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Ensemble (Contras)

“Gone, Gone, Gone” – Tootsie

“Live in Living Color” – Catch Me If You Can

“There Was John” – Tootsie

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Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!

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Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

“Heaven Knows” – Far From Heaven

“Isn’t He Something!” – Road Show

“Losing Track of Time” – Summer of ’42

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Ensemble (Sopranos)

“Tuesdays, Thursdays” – Far From Heaven

“What Only Love Can See” – Chaplin

“Will You?” – Grey Gardens

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Drift Away” – Grey Gardens

“I Love Betsy” – Honeymoon in Vegas

“I Never Knew” – Far From Heaven

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Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Bandstand:

• “Album” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝

• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s  (Estelle)

• “Play Memory” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝

• “Sky Lines #1” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝

• “Sky Lines #2” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝

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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!

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Bandstand Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Bandstand, 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.

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Act 1:

“Just Like It Was Before” – Ensemble

“Donny Novitski” – Donny

“I Know a Guy” – Jimmy,  Donny, Davy, Nick, Wayne, Ensemble

“Ain’t We Proud” – Donny, The Band

“Who I Was” – Julia

“Counterpoint” / “Pie Jesu” – Julia, Ensemble

“Just Like It Was Before (Reprise)” – Mrs. Adams, Ensemble

“First Steps First” – Julia, Donny

“Breathe” – Donny, Julia, Davy, Nick, Wayne, Jimmy, Johnny

“You Deserve It” – Donny, Julia, The Band, Ensemble

“Love Will Come and Find Me Again” – Julia

“Right This Way” – Donny, The Band

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Act 2:

“Nobody” – Donny, Wayne, Nick, Davy, Julia, Mrs. Adams, Johnny, Jimmy, Ensemble

“The Boys Are Back” – Ensemble

“I Got a Theory” – Julia, Donny, Johnny, Wayne, Nick, Davy, Jimmy, Ensemble

“Everything Happens” – Mrs. Adams

“Welcome Home” – Donny, Julia, The Band

“A Band in New York City” – Johnny, Davy, Jimmy, Nick, Wayne, Julia, Donny, Ensemble

“This Is Life” – Donny, Julia

“This Is Life (Reprise)” – Donny

“Welcome Home (Finale)” – Julia

“Epilogue” – Donny, Julia, Company

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Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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Which of these audition songs for Bandstand 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.

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