The Best Audition Songs for Big River – By Character
When considering audition songs for Big River, it’s fitting to choose a gospel or country song from 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 Big River premiered in 1985, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1970s and 2000s. 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 Big River.
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 Big River
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
Huck Finn
“Mamaw” – Pump Boys and Dinettes
“Never Met a Man I Didn’t Like” – The Will Rogers Follies
“I’ll Never Pass This Way Again” – The Civil War
“The Only Home I Know” – Shenandoah
Jim
“Make Them Hear You” – Ragtime
“That’s What He Said” – Parade
“The Bus” – Caroline, or Change
“Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime
Mary Jane Wilkes
“Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad” – Bonnie & Clyde
“Hard Candy Christmas” – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde
“That’s What You Call a Dream” – Bonnie & Clyde
Pap Finn
“Big Fish, Little Fish” – Purlie
“It’s a Boy” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Serve Yourself” – Pump Boys and Dinettes
“The Sidestep” – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Tom Sawyer
“Give a Man Enough Rope” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Museum Song” – Barnum
“The Colors of My Life” – Barnum
“There Is a Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute” – Barnum
Young Fool
“Bigger Isn’t Better” – Barnum
“All I Owe Ioway” – State Fair
“Mama Says” – Footloose
✦ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to discover whether you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, and more!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Goodbye, My Love” – Ragtime
“Lay Down Your Head” – Violet
“My Unknown Someone” – The Will Rogers Follies
Ensemble (Baritones)
“That’s What I Could Do” – Violet
“Ink” – Dessa Rose
“Tell My Father” – The Civil War
Ensemble (Basses)
“Father How Long?” – The Civil War
“Fathers and Sons” – Working
“Look Around” – The Will Rogers Follies
Ensemble (Contras)
“Let It Sing” – Violet
“Virginia” – The Civil War
“White Milk & Red Blood” – Dessa Rose
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“On My Way” – Violet
“These Eyes of Mine” – Grind
“You Can’t Get to Heaven” – The Life
Ensemble (Tenors)
“How Glory Goes” – Floyd Collins
“River Jordan” – The Civil War
“Sarah” – The Civil War
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Big River:
• “I Can’t Write” from The Genius
• “In Your Memory” from Shenandoah
• “My First Winter” from Haymarket Eight
• “Something Like This” from Call of the Revolution
• “What War Is” from The Whipping Man
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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Big River Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Big River, 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.
* That said, if you’ve specifically been asked to sing a song from the show, you can find the sheet music for the best possible audition songs below.
Act 1:
“Do Ya Wanna Go to Heaven” – Miss Watson, Company
“The Boys” – Tom Sawyer, Ensemble
“Waitin’ for the Light to Shine” – Huck
“Guv’ment” – Pap
“Hand For the Hog” – Tom
“I, Huckleberry, Me” – Huck
“Muddy Water” – Jim, Huck
“The Crossing” – Ensemble
“River in the Rain” – Huck, Jim
“When the Sun Goes Down in the South” – Duke, King, Huck, Jim
Act 2:
“The Royal Nonesuch” – Duke, Company
“Worlds Apart” – Jim, Huck
“Arkansas” / “How Blest We Are” – Fool, Alice’s Daughter, Company
“You Oughta Be Here With Me” – Mary Jane Wilkes, Susan Wilkes, Joanna Wilkes
“How Blest We Are (Reprise)” – Alice, Alice’s Daughter, Bill
“Leavin’s Not the Only Way to Go” – Mary Jane Wilkes, Jim, Huck
“Waitin’ for the Light to Shine (Reprise)” – Huck, Ensemble
“Free At Last” – Jim, Ensemble
“Muddy Water (Reprise)” – 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.
