The Best Audition Songs for Fame – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Fame? 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 Fame, broken down by character.
Since Fame is a pre-contemporary musical that’s set in the 1980s, the following songs are from pre-contemporary musicals as well (1970s-1990s). In addition, there is an 80s vibe to many of the below songs 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 Fame 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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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.
Carmen Diaz
“All Things to One Man” – Grind
“Holding Out For a Hero” – Footloose
“The Music and the Mirror” – A Chorus Line
“West End Avenue” – The Magic Show
Joe Vegas
“I Can Do That” – A Chorus Line
“I Can’t Stand Still” – Footloose
“Mama Says” – Footloose
“My City” – Seesaw
Mabel Washington
“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” – Dreamgirls
“I Am Changing” – Dreamgirls
“I Got Love” – Purlie
“You Can’t Get to Heaven” – The Life
Miss Bell
“Can You Find It In Your Heart?” – Footloose
“Colored Lights” – The Rink
“One Brick at a Time” – Barnum
“Patterns” – Baby
Miss Sherman
“Believe in Yourself” – The Wiz
“Change” – A New Brain
“Magic to Do” – Pippin
“Measure the Valleys” – Raisin
Nick Piazza
“Dreamer in Disguise” – Carrie
“I Chose Right” – Baby
“Larger than Life” – My Favorite Year
“Morning Glow” – Pippin
Serena Katz
“Disneyland” – Smile
“Lion Tamer” – The Magic Show
“Nothing Really Happened” – Is There Life After High School?
“What I Did For Love” – A Chorus Line
Tyrone Jackson / Jack Zakowski
“Fabulous Feet” – The Tap Dance Kid
“Lovin’ Al” – Working
* If asked to prepare a rap:
“Just a Friend” – Biz Markie [1980s/non-theatre]
“The Message” – Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five [1980s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Nothing” – A Chorus Line
“The Story Goes On” – Baby
“Wait a Bit” – Just So
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Starlight Express” – Starlight Express
“The Kid Inside” – Is There Life After High School?
“With You” – Pippin
Ensemble (Basses)
“Heaven Help Me” – Footloose
“If I Sing” – Closer Than Ever
“If the World Were Like the Movies” – My Favorite Year
Ensemble (Contras)
“Teaching Third Grade” – Ruthless!
“That’s Enough for Me” – Romance in Hard Times
“The Music Still Plays On” – A New Brain
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Move” – Dreamgirls
“Once You See” – Carrie
“Unsuspecting Hearts” – Carrie
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Crossword Puzzle” – Starting Here, Starting Now
“No One Cared Like You” – Nunsense II
“When There’s No One” – Carrie
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Corner of the Sky” – Pippin
“Extraordinary” – Pippin
“Things I Learned in High School” – Is There Life After High School?
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Fame:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “All Kidding Aside” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Eggs in a Basket” in The Acting Coach Approach: 48 Monologues for Kids➝
• “The Day They Shot John Lennon” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Three-Word Play” in The Acting Coach Approach: 48 Monologues for Kids➝
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!
Fame Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Fame, 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:
“Hard Work” – Nick, Serena, Joe, Carmen, Mabel, Miss Sherman, Students
“I Want to Make Magic” – Nick
“Can’t Keep It Down/Cool” – Joe, Students
“Tyrone’s Rap” – Tyrone/Jack
“There She Goes! / Fame” – Carmen, Students
“Let’s Play a Love Scene” – Serena
“Bring on Tomorrow” – Schlomo, Carmen
“The Teachers’ Argument” – Miss Bell, Miss Sherman
“Hard Work (Reprise)” – Students
Act 2:
“The Junior Festival” – Nick, Joe, Students
“Mabel’s Prayer” – Mabel, Students
“Think of Meryl Streep” – Serena
“Dancin’ on the Sidewalk” – Tyrone/Jack, Students
“These Are My Children” – Miss Sherman
“In L.A.” – Carmen
“Let’s Play a Love Scene (Reprise)” – Nick, Serena
“Bring on Tomorrow (Reprise)” – Schlomo, Serena, Nick, Iris, Tyrone/Jack, Joe, Mabel, Students
“Finale” – Carmen, Company
Which of these audition songs for Fame 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.