The Best Audition Songs for Bright Star – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Bright Star? 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 Bright Star, broken down by character.
Since Bright Star is a contemporary musical, most of the songs below are from musicals between the 1990s-2020. In addition, there is a folksy/country vibe to many of the following 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 upbeat, 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 Bright Star 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.
Alice Murphy
“Everything Changes” – Waitress
“Hero” – Ghost Quartet
“Lay Down Your Head” – Violet
“Nothin’ Up” – The Robber Bridegroom
Billy Cane
“Disappear” – The Burnt Part Boys
“Gold” – Once
“Stronger” – Hands on a Hardbody
“The Wheel” – Tuck Everlasting
Daddy Cane
“Fight the Dragons” – Big Fish
“Something From a Dream” – The Bridges of Madison County
“That’s What I Could Do” – Violet
“Time” – Tuck Everlasting
Jimmy Ray Dobbs
“How Glory Goes” – Floyd Collins
“Last Time I Came to Memphis” – Violet
“Temporarily Lost” – The Bridges of Madison County
“When the Booth Goes Bright” – Amélie
Lucy Grant
“Backwoods Barbie” – 9 to 5
“Change It” – 9 to 5
“Every Day of the Week is a Saturday” – Nunsense Jamboree
“I Could’ve Gone to Nashville” – Nunsense
Margo Crawford
“Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad” – Bonnie & Clyde
“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde
“She Used to Be Mine” – Waitress
“What Baking Can Do” – Waitress
Mayor Dobbs
“Build a Wall” – Shrek
“Guv’ment” – Big River
“Here for You” – 9 to 5
“My Problem Right There” – Hands on a Hardbody
Ensemble (Altos)
“Before It’s Over” – Dogfight
“Pretty Funny” – Dogfight
“That’s What You Call a Dream” – Bonnie & Clyde
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Seeing You” – Groundhog Day
“Tell My Father” – The Civil War
“Wondering” – The Bridges of Madison County
Ensemble (Basses)
“Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy” – Once
“Never Met a Man I Didn’t Like” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Sleeping” – Once
Ensemble (Contras)
“Dusty Plays the Saw” – The Burnt Part Boys
“The Hill” – Once
“Virginia” – The Civil War
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“I Just Might” – 9 to 5
“I’m Gone” – Hands on a Hardbody
“Oklahoma?” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty
“God Answered My Prayers” – Hands on a Hardbody
“Man I Never Knew” – The Burnt Part Boys
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Bright Star:
• “Heaven in Your Pocket” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Jugger’s Rain #1” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Jugger’s Rain #2” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Play Memory” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Wilderness of Mirrors” in Audition Arsenal for Men 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!
Bright Star Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Bright Star, 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:
“If You Knew My Story” – Alice
“She’s Gone” – Daddy Cane, Billy
“Bright Star” – Billy, Ensemble
“Way Back in the Day” – Alice, Ensemble
“Whoa, Mama” – Jimmy, Alice
“Firmer Hand” / “Do Right” – Daddy Murphy, Mama Murphy, Alice, Ensemble
“A Man’s Gotta Do” – Mayor Dobbs, Jimmy
“Asheville” – Margo, Ensemble
“What Could Be Better” – Jimmy, Alice, Ensemble
“I Can’t Wait” – Alice, Jimmy, Ensemble
“Please, Don’t Take Him” – Mayor Dobbs, Alice, Daddy Murphy, Mama Murphy, Ensemble
“A Man’s Gotta Do (Reprise)” – Mayor Dobbs, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Sun Is Gonna Shine” – Alice, Mama Murphy, Margo, Daddy Cane, Ensemble
“Heartbreaker” – Jimmy
“Another Round” – Lucy, Daryl, Billy, Ensemble
“I Had a Vision” – Alice, Jimmy
“Always Will” – Billy, Margo, Ensemble
“So Familiar” – Alice, Ensemble
“At Long Last” – Alice, Ensemble
“Finale” – Ensemble
Which of these audition songs for Bright Star 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.