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 1980s musical, the following songs are from shows between the 1970s – 1990s. There are also lots of pop/rock selections 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 upbeat, 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 Fame.
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.
Carmen Diaz
“All Things to One Man” – Grind
“Holding Out For a Hero” – Footloose
“Put in a Package and Sold” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“The Music and the Mirror” – A Chorus Line
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
“Nothing Really Happened” – Is There Life After High School?
“Unsuspecting Hearts” – Carrie
“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)
“Make Up My Heart” – Starlight Express
“The Story Goes On” – Baby
“Wait a Bit” – Just So
Ensemble (Baritones)
“The Kid Inside” – Is There Life After High School?
“Things I Learned in High School” – 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)
“Live for Loving You” – On Your Feet!
“Nothing” – A Chorus Line
“Teaching Third Grade” – Ruthless!
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Move” – Dreamgirls
“No One Cared Like You” – Nunsense II
“The Night It Had to End” – Romance/Romance
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Corner of the Sky” – Pippin
“Extraordinary” – Pippin
“There’s Me” – Starlight Express
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 48 Monologues for Kids➝
• “The Day They Shot John Lennon” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Three-Word Play” in 48 Monologues for Kids➝
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve gathered your materials and studied the show, it’s time to focus on the preparation. Need guidance? Download this FREE audition prep checklist to stay on track!
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” – 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 and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.