The Best Audition Songs for Bandstand – By Character
When considering audition songs for Bandstand, it’s fitting to choose a jazzy song from contemporary 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 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 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 Bandstand.
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 Bandstand
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
Donny
“Come Back” – Dogfight
“Butter Outta Cream” – Catch Me If You Can
“Nicky Machiavelli” – A Bronx Tale
“When You Say Vegas” – Honeymoon in Vegas
Julia
“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde
“I Could Go Back” – Fugitive Songs
“I’d Rather Watch You” – Adding Machine
“Jazz Time” – Marguerite
Mrs. Adams
“Another Winter in a Summer Town” – Grey Gardens
“Around the World” – Grey Gardens
“Brave Thing” – Fangirls
“Love and Love Alone” – The Visit
❓ 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)
“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
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
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
Ensemble (Contras)
“Gone, Gone, Gone” – Tootsie
“Live in Living Color” – Catch Me If You Can
“There Was John” – Tootsie
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Heaven Knows” – Far From Heaven
“Isn’t He Something!” – Road Show
“Losing Track of Time” – Summer of ’42
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Tuesdays, Thursdays” – Far From Heaven
“What Only Love Can See” – Chaplin
“Will You?” – Grey Gardens
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Drift Away” – Grey Gardens
“I Love Betsy” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“I Never Knew” – Far From Heaven
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Bandstand:
• “Goofy Old Guy” from Born Yesterday
• “Doing America Proud” from White Christmas
• “Save the World” from A Piece of My Heart
• “Standing Somewhere” from The Real Thing
• “The Nicest Gift” from White Christmas
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.
Join Theatre Trip’s free Patreon Tier for:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free printables here →
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! This is more intended to be used for character research purposes.
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
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
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.
