The Best Audition Songs for Big – By Character
When considering audition songs for Big, it’s fitting to choose a lighthearted 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 premiered in 1996, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1990s and 2010s. 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.
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
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
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
❓ 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)
“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
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:
• “Between Things” from Middletown
• “Like Anywhere Else” from Almost, Maine
• “Meaning of a Flower” from Everything So Far
• “Mystery Man” from The Muckle Man
• “The Dog Phase” from Sylvia
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 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! 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:
“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
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.
