The Best Audition Songs for Hadestown – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Hadestown? 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 Hadestown, broken down by character.
Since Hadestown is a contemporary musical, there are lots of songs from contemporary shows below. In addition there are lots of jazz, rock, pop, and folk vibes from various non-musical time periods mixed in to match the style of the show.
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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 uptempo, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
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 through the synopsis while listening to the Hadestown cast album➝.
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.
Hades
“Don’t Be the Bunny” – Urinetown
“Friends on the Other Side” – Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]
“The Devil You Know” – Side Show
“Who’s the Man” – The Witches of Eastwick
Hermes
“Down in New Orleans” – The Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]
“Goin’ Back to New Orleans” – Dr. John [1990s/non-theatre]
“I Walked on Gilded Splinters” – Dr. John [1960s/non-theatre]
“I Wan’na Be Like You” – The Jungle Book [1960s film/non-theatre]
Eurydice
“Gravity” – Sara Bareilles [2000s/non-theatre]
“Some Things Fall Away” – Alice by Heart
“Whispering” – Spring Awakening
“Winter Blooms” – Alice by Heart
Orpheus
“If You’re Out There” – John Legend [2000s/non-theatre]
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“Thin Air” – Amélie
“Writing’s On the Wall” – Sam Smith [2010s/non-theatre]
Persephone
“Charming” – The Great Comet
“Dig a Little Deeper” – The Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]
“Isn’t It a Trial?” – Alice by Heart
“Land of Yesterday” – Anastasia
Ensemble (Altos)
“Almost There” – The Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]
“Come Down Now” – Passing Strange
“Latter Days” – Big Red Machine/Anaïs Mitchell [2020s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Gold” – Once
“Love Like That” – Passing Strange
“Ma Belle Evangeline” – The Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“She Runs Away” – Duncan Sheik [1990s/non-theatre]
“Sleeping” – Once
“The Great Comet of 1812” – The Great Comet
Ensemble (Contras)
“Shelter” – John Legend [2010s/non-theatre]
“The Hill” – Once
“There’s a World” – Next to Normal
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“No One Else” – The Great Comet
“On and On and On” – We Aren’t Kids Anymore
“Remember This” – The Mad Ones
Ensemble (Tenors)
“How Glory Goes” – Floyd Collins
“The Tree on the Hill” – The Lightning Thief
“You are the Reason” – Calum Scott [2010s/non-theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Hadestown:
• “Ismene” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Moon Man Walk” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Mother Moon➝” from Fading Joy➝ (Joy)
• “Rooms” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Thoughts” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
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!
Hadestown Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Hadestown, 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.
Act 1:
“Road to Hell” – Hermes, Orpheus, Company
“Any Way the Wind Blows” – Hermes, The Fates, Eurydice, Orpheus
“Come Home With Me” – Orpheus, Eurydice, Ensemble
“Wedding Song” – Eurydice, Orpheus, Ensemble
“Epic I” – Hermes, Orpheus
“Livin’ it Up on Top” – Hermes, Persephone, Orpheus, Ensemble
“All I’ve Ever Known” – Hermes, Eurydice, Orpheus
“Way Down Hadestown” – Hermes, Persephone, The Fates, Ensemble
“A Gathering Storm” – Hermes, Eurydice, Orpheus, The Fates
“Epic II” – Orpheus, Ensemble
“Chant” – Persephone, Hades, Eurydice, Orpheus, Hermes, The Fates, Ensemble
“Hey, Little Songbird” – Hades, Eurydice
“When the Chips are Down” – The Fates, Eurydice, Hermes, Hades
“Gone, I’m Gone” – Eurydice, The Fates
“Wait for Me” – Hermes, Orpheus, The Fates, Ensemble
“Why We Build the Wall” – Hades, Eurydice, Hermes, Persephone, Company
Act 2:
“Our Lady of the Underground” – Persephone, Company
“Way Down Hadestown (Reprise)” – Fates, Eurydice, Hermes, Ensemble
“Flowers” – Eurydice
“Come Home With Me (Reprise)” – Orpheus, Eurydice
“Papers” – Hades, Hermes, Orpheus, Eurydice, Persephone
“Nothing Changes” – The Fates
“If It’s True” – Orpheus, Hermes, Ensemble
“How Long?” – Persephone, Hades
“Chant (Reprise)” – Hermes, Hades, Orpheus, Persephone, Eurydice, Ensemble
“Epic III” – Orpheus, Hermes, Company
“Promises” – Eurydice, Orpheus
“Word to the Wise” – The Fates
“His Kiss, the Riot” – Hades
“Wait for Me (Reprise)” – Hermes, Orpheus, Eurydice, Persephone, Hades, The Fates, Ensemble
“Doubt Comes In” – The Fates, Orpheus, Eurydice, Ensemble
“Road to Hell (Reprise)” – Hermes, Company
“We Raise our Cups” – Persephone, Eurydice, Company
Which of these audition songs for Hadestown 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, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.