The Best Audition Songs for Fame – By Character
When considering audition songs for Fame, it’s fitting to choose a pop/rock 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 Fame premiered in 1988, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1970s and 1990s. 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 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 more about Fame.
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 Fame
✨Need more options? The list below gives you a great starting point! The Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio gives you access to thousands of songs, hundreds of monologues, and tools to help you find your casting lane! Explore the Repertoire Studio →
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 (Non-Theatre)
“The Message” – Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five (Non-Theatre)
🎭 Are you never quite sure which roles to audition for? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
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!
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:
• “Dime a Dozen” from Master Class
• “Garage Recitals” from A Chorus Line
• “How to Listen” from Master Class
• “Doing It For Me” from A Chorus Line
• “On Stage” from A Life in the Theatre
Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools
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.
Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free resources on Patreon→
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! 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:
“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.” or “Out Here on My Own” – 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
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.
