The Best Audition Songs for Grease – by Character

Do you have an upcoming audition for Grease? 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 Grease, broken down by character.

Since Grease is a 1970s musical that’s set in the 1950s, the following songs have 50s/60s vibes to them. There are also a few non-musical theatre pop/rock songs from the 50s/60s below in case your audition specifically calls for that.

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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.

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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 read the synopsis while listening to the Grease cast album➝. Or you can watch the live recording of Grease➝.

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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.

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Betty Rizzo

“Don’t Make Me Over” – Dionne Warwick [1960s/non-theatre]

“Let Yourself Go” – All Shook Up

“One Hundred Easy Ways” – Wonderful Town

“There’s Always Me” – All Shook Up

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Danny Zuko

“How Can I Say Goodbye?” – Zombie Prom

“I Don’t Want To” – All Shook Up

“It Takes Two” – Hairspray

“Serve Yourself” – Pump Boys and Dinettes

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Doody

“Baby Don’t Go” – The Cher Show/Sonny & Cher

“Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” – Herman’s Hermits [1960s/non-theatre]

“Heartbeat” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story

“It Hurts Me” – All Shook Up

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Frenchy

“Funny” – My Favorite Year

“It’s a Perfect Relationship” – Bells are Ringing

“Judy’s Turn to Cry” – Lesley Gore [1960s/non-theatre]

“Where the Boys Are” – Connie Francis [1960s/non-theatre]

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Kenickie

“Honestly Sincere” – Bye Bye Birdie

“Jailhouse Rock” – All Shook Up

“Lucille” – Jerry Lee Lewis [1950s/non-theatre]

“Music of My Soul” – Memphis

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Marty

“Be Anything” – Connie Francis [1950s/non-theatre]

“Downtown” – Petula Clark [1960s/non-theatre]

“I Say a Little Prayer” – Dionne Warwick/Promises, Promises

“Screw Loose” – Cry-Baby

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Roger “Rump”

“Earth Angel” – The Penguins [1950s/non-theatre]

“Grow for Me” – Little Shop of Horrors

“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story

“Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers [1960s/non-theatre]

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Sandra “Sandy” Dombrowski

“Disneyland” – Smile

“Fools Fall in Love” – All Shook Up

“One Night With You” – All Shook Up

“Out Here On My Own” – Fame

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Teen Angel

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” – Jersey Boys

“Cry for Me” – Jersey Boys

“Fallen Angel” – Jersey Boys

“True Love Ways” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story

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Ensemble (Altos)

“Rookie in the Ring” – My Favorite Year

“Stupid Cupid” – The Marvelous Wonderettes

“Whoever You Are, I Love You” – Promises, Promises

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“Little Sister” – Elvis Presley [1950s/non-theatre]

“Magic Moments” – Perry Como [1950s/non-theatre]

“Rhythm of the Rain” – The Cascades [1960s/non-theatre]

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Ensemble (Basses)

“Forget Him” – Bobby Rydell [1960s/non-theatre]

“Don’t Be Cruel” – All Shook Up

“One Last Kiss” – Bye Bye Birdie

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Ensemble (Contras)

“Mama Said” – The Shirelles [1960s/non-theatre]

“Pills” – Bo Diddley

“Radio” – Memphis

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Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!

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Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)

“Easy to Say” – Zombie Prom

“Sincerely” – The McGuire Sisters

“I’m Ready for Love” – Martha and the Vandellas [1960s/non-theatre]

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Big Love” – Memphis

“Ladies’ Choice” – Hairspray

“Memphis Lives in Me” – Memphis

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Step 4: Select a monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Grease:

• “Album” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝

• “Harvey and I➝” from Harvey➝  (Elwood)

• “Maybe I’m Wrong” from The Genius➝  (Boy)

• “The Pact” in The Acting Coach Approach: 48 Monologues for Kids➝

• “Well Done, Junior Disaster Committee!➝” from Cry-Baby  (Baldwin)

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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!

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Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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Grease Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Grease, 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.

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Act 1:

“Grease” – Company

“Summer Nights” – Sandy, Danny, T-Birds, Pink Ladies, Ensemble

“Those Magic Changes” – Doody, T-Birds, Ensemble

“Freddy, My Love” – Marty, Pink Ladies

“Greased Lightnin’” – Kenickie, Danny, T-Birds, Ensemble

“Rydell Fight Song” – Sandy, Patty

“Mooning” – Roger, Jan

“Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” – Rizzo, Pink Ladies

“We Go Together” – Ensemble

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Act 2:

“Shakin’ at the High School Hop” – Ensemble

“It’s Raining on Prom Night” – Sandy, Jan

“Born to Hand Jive” – Vince Fontaine, Ensemble

“Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Sandy

“Beauty School Dropout” – Teen Angel, Ensemble

“Sandy” – Danny

“Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Queen” – Doody, Roger

“There Are Worse Things I Could Do” – Rizzo

“Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise)” – Sandy

“You’re the One That I Want” – Danny, Sandy, Ensemble

“We Go Together (Reprise)” – Company

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Which of these audition songs for Grease 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.

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Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!

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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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