Musical-Specific Audition Songs

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!

DIY Rep Book Page Ad.


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!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.


Stacy Karyn, Author of Audition Songs for Fame.
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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