The Best Audition Songs for Big – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Big? 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 Big, broken down by character.
Since Big is a musical from the 1990s, the songs below are from musicals between the 1990s-2010s as well. In addition there is a light-hearted and energetic vibe to many of the following 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 listen to the Big cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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.
Billy Kopecki
“Counting Down to Christmas” – A Christmas Story
“Electricity” – Billy Elliot
“Picture Show” – Bonnie & Clyde [Young Clyde’s part]
“Whatcha Gonna Do?” – Chaplin [w/ your natural accent]
Josh Baskin
“I Think I Like Her” – Summer of ’42
“It Just Wasn’t Meant to Happen” – Calvin Berger
“Mrs. Remington” – The Story of My Life
“She Thinks I’m Old” – Daddy Long Legs
Mrs. Baskin
“Holding to the Ground” – Falsettos
“I’m Breaking Down” – Falsettos
“Just Like That” – A Christmas Story
“What a Mother Does” – A Christmas Story
Susan Lawrence
“Cute Boys With Short Haircuts” – Vanities
“I’ll Be Here” – Ordinary Days
“Just Not Now” – I Love You Because
“Sing Your Own Song” – Dear Edwina
Young Josh
“Maybe He Likes Me” – The Man in the Ceiling
“Noah Down the Stairs” – Caroline, or Change
“There Is a Santa Claus” – Elf
“When I Get My Name in Lights” – The Boy From Oz
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Way Back to Then” – [title of show]
“Every Time You Smiled at Me” – Nunsense Jamboree
“Don’t Wanna Be Here” – Ordinary Days
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days
“I Miss the Music” – Curtains
“I’d Rather Be Sailing” – A New Brain
Ensemble (Basses)
“Everything About You” – Groundhog Day
“Father to Son” – Falsettos
“Something About Her” – Pretty Woman
Ensemble (Contras)
“Calm” – Ordinary Days
“Every Tear a Mother Cries” – Honk!
“The Music Still Plays On” – A New Brain
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Christmas Lullaby” – Songs for a New World
“Infinite Joy” – Elegies: A Song Cycle
“No One Cared Like You” – Nunsense II
Ensemble (Tenors)
“People Carry On” – The Story of My Life
“Sara Lee” – The World Goes ‘Round
“Write What You Know” – The Story of My Life
Ensemble (Trebles)
“In the Big Blue World” – Finding Nemo
“Hands” – The Man in the Ceiling
“Up on the Fridge” – Dear Edwina
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Big:
• “Bread and Circuses” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Rooms” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “That’s All I Got➝” from Other Desert Cities (Trip)
• “The Not-So-Nice List” in Kids’ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny➝
• “We’ll Figure It Out” in Monologues for Kids and Tweens➝
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!
Big Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Big, 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.
* 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:
“Prologue” / “Can’t Wait” – Young Josh, Mrs. Baskin, Billy, Ensemble
“Talk to Her” / “Carnival” – Billy, Young Josh
“Say Good Morning to Mom” – Mrs. Baskin
“This Isn’t Me” – Josh
“You’re a Big Boy Now” / “I Want to Go Home” – Billy, Josh
“The Time of Your Life” / “Fun” – MacMillan, Josh, Ensemble
“Josh’s Welcome” – Susan, Paul, Ensemble
“Here We Go Again” – Susan
“Stars” – Josh Baskin, Susan
“Little Susan Lawrence” – Susan
“Cross the Line” – Josh Baskin, Company
Act 2:
“It’s Time” – Billy, Ensemble
“Stop, Time” – Mrs. Baskin
“Dancing All the Time” – Susan
“I Want to Know” – Young Josh
“Coffee, Black” – Josh, MacMillan, Ensemble
“The Real Thing” – Nick, Tom, Diane, Abigail
“One Special Man” – Susan
“When You’re Big” – Josh Baskin
“Cross the Line (Reprise)” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Big 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.