Musical-Specific Audition Songs

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 1990s musical, the following songs are from shows between the 1990s – 2010s. There are also lots of light-hearted and youthful vibes below to match the musical’s style.


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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: 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 about Big.


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

Gotta Get Out” – 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!

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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!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.


Stacy Karyn, Author of Audition Songs for Big.
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.


 

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