The Best Audition Songs for Bandstand – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Bandstand? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for Bandstand, broken down by character.
Since Bandstand is a contemporary musical, the following songs are from contemporary shows as well. In addition, there are lots of jazzy and vintage vibes below in order to match the style of the show.
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Step 1: Read your audition details
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: Get to know the show
In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to read through the synopsis while listening to the Bandstand cast album➝.
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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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!
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
“Love and Love Alone” – The Visit
“Where Did I Go Wrong” – It Shoulda Been You
Ensemble (Altos)
“Jet Set” – Catch Me If You Can
“At the Old Majestic Nickel Matinee” – Some Like It Hot
“This is What It Is” – The Wild Party (LaChiusa)
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)
“I’d Order Love” – First Date
“Out of the Sun” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“The Man Inside the Clues” – Catch Me If You Can
Ensemble (Contras)
“Live in Living Color” – Catch Me If You Can
“There Was John” – Tootsie
“With Every Breath I Take” – City of Angels
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Heaven Knows” – Far From Heaven
“Losing Track of Time” – Summer of ’42
“You Can Always Count on Me” – City of Angels
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Pink” – War Paint
“Tuesdays, Thursdays” – Far from Heaven
“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:
• “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➝
Final Step: Prepare for your audition
After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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.
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
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.
Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!
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, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.