Musical-Specific Audition Songs

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 set in the 1950s, the following songs have a 1950s/1960s vibe to them. 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 more about Grease.


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.


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

Lucille” – Jerry Lee Lewis [1950s/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


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


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


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:

• “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)


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!

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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.


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

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


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.


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 Grease.
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.


 

2 thoughts on “The Best Audition Songs for Grease – by Character

  • a good audition song for Sandy could be You Love Who You Love from Bonnie and Clyde

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