The Best Audition Songs for Grease – By Character
When considering audition songs for Grease, it’s fitting to choose a pop/rock song from musical theatre or non-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 Grease is set in the 1950s, the audition songs below are either from musicals set around that era or are non-theatre songs from that time period. 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 Grease.
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 Grease
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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
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
Doody
“Baby Don’t Go” – The Cher Show
“Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” – Herman’s Hermits [1960s/non-theatre]
“Heartbeat” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
“It Hurts Me” – All Shook Up
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]
Kenickie
“Honestly Sincere” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Jailhouse Rock” – All Shook Up
“Rockin’ My Life Away” – Jerry Lee Lewis [1970s/non-theatre]
“Music of My Soul” – Memphis
Marty
“Be Anything” – Connie Francis [1950s/non-theatre]
“Downtown” – Petula Clark [1960s/non-theatre]
“I Say a Little Prayer” – Promises, Promises
“Screw Loose” – Cry-Baby
Roger “Rump”
“Baby Now That I’ve Found You” – The Foundations [1960s/non-theatre]
“Earth Angel” – The Penguins [1950s/non-theatre]
“Grow for Me” – Little Shop of Horrors
“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
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
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
🎭 Do you know your casting type? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Easy to Say” – Zombie Prom
“I Only Want to Be With You” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“Sincerely” – The McGuire Sisters [1950s/non-theatre]
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]
Ensemble (Basses)
“Forget Him” – Bobby Rydell [1960s/non-theatre]
“Don’t Be Cruel” – All Shook Up
“One Last Kiss” – Bye Bye Birdie
Ensemble (Contras)
“Mama Said” – The Shirelles [1960s/non-theatre]
“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” – Lesley Gore [1960s/non-theatre]
“Whoever You Are, I Love You” – Promises, Promises
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss” – Memphis
“Cooties” – Hairspray
“I’m Ready for Love” – Martha and the Vandellas [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I’m a Man” – Bo Diddley [1950s/non-theatre]
“Ladies’ Choice” – Hairspray
“Memphis Lives in Me” – Memphis
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Grease:
• “Everything Slow” from Pipe Dream
• “Garage Recitals” from A Chorus Line
• “Harvey and I” from Harvey
• “Paper Route” from Born Yesterday
• “The Palace Flophouse” from Pipe Dream
Step 5: Audition Prep
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.
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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! 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:
“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
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
“Alone at the Drive-In Movie” – Danny, 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
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.
