The Best Audition Songs for Hairspray – By Character
When considering audition songs for Hairspray, 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 Hairspray is set in the 1960s, the audition songs below have a similar style and feel to that era. 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 Hairspray.
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 Hairspray
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Amber Von Tussle
“Judy’s Turn to Cry” – Lesley Gore [1960s/non-theatre]
“Stupid Cupid” – The Marvelous Wonderettes
“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” – Lesley Gore [1960s/non-theatre]
“You Can’t Hurry Love” – Ain’t Too Proud
Corny Collins
“I Don’t Want To” – All Shook Up
“Jailhouse Rock” – All Shook Up
“Maybe (Baby)” – Grease Live!
“Radio” – Memphis
Edna Turnblad
“Love Who You Love” – A Man of No Importance
“Loud” – Matilda
“Never Get Married” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Wanting Things” – Promises Promises
Link Larkin
“Butter Outta Cream” – Catch Me If You Can
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” – Jersey Boys
“Live in Living Color” – Catch Me If You Can
“The Way You Do The Things You Do” – Ain’t Too Proud
Little Inez
“ABC” – The Jackson 5 [1970s/non-theatre]
“Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss” – Memphis
“Ease on Down the Road” – The Wiz
“I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5 [1960s/non-theatre]
Motormouth Maybelle
“A Natural Woman” – Aretha Franklin [1960s/non-theatre]
“Easy to Be Hard” – Hair
“I Am Changing” – Dreamgirls
“Listen” – Dreamgirls
Penny Pingleton
“Frank Mills” – Hair
“I Say a Little Prayer” – Promises, Promises
“My Boyfriend’s Back” – Jersey Boys
“Somewhere That’s Green” – Little Shop of Horrors
Seaweed
“Big Love” – Memphis
“Just My Imagination” – Ain’t Too Proud
“My Girl” – Ain’t Too Proud
“My Problem Right There” – Hands on a Hardbody
Tracy Turnblad
“Downtown” – Petula Clark [1960s/non-theatre]
“Good Morning Starshine” – Hair
“Judy’s Turn to Cry” – Lesley Gore [1960s/non-theatre]
“Knowing When to Leave” – Promises, Promises
Wilbur Turnblad
“Going Down” – Hair
“Half As Big As Life” – Promises, Promises
“She Likes Basketball” – Promises, Promises
“Upstairs” – Promises, Promises
🎭 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)
“Dancing in the Street” – Martha and the Vandellas [1960s/non-theatre]
“Fly, Fly Away” – Catch Me If You Can
“Jet Set” – Catch Me If You Can
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Grow for Me” – Little Shop of Horrors
“One of the Great Ones” – A Bronx Tale
“The Pinstripes Are All That They See” – Catch Me If You Can
Ensemble (Basses)
“Forget Him” – Bobby Rydell [1960s/non-theatre]
“One Last Kiss” – Bye Bye Birdie
“The Man Inside the Clues” – Catch Me If You Can
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Wish It Would Rain” – Ain’t Too Proud
“Mama Said” – The Shirelles [1960s/non-theatre]
“Whoever You Are, I Love You” – Promises, Promises
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Colored Woman” – Memphis
“Freddy, My Love” – Grease
“Someday” – Memphis
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” – Herman’s Hermits [1960s/non-theatre]
“Someone Else’s Skin” – Catch Me If You Can
“Where Do I Go?” – Hair
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Hairspray:
• “Choices” from The New Sincerity
• “Pineapple Chunks” from The Real Thing
• “Standing Somewhere” from The Real Thing
• “The Palace Flophouse” from Pipe Dream
• “The Way We Hear Music” from Detroit ’67
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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Hairspray Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Hairspray, 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:
“Good Morning Baltimore” – Tracy, Ensemble
“The Nicest Kids in Town” – Corny, Ensemble
“Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now” – Edna, Tracy, Prudy, Penny, Velma, Amber, Ensemble
“I Can Hear the Bells” – Tracy, Ensemble
“Miss Baltimore Crabs” – Velma, Tracy, Tammy, Amber, Shelley, Link, Little Inez, Ensemble
“It Takes Two” – Link, Ensemble
“Velma’s Revenge” – Velma
“Welcome to the 60’s” – Tracy, Edna, Ensemble
“Run and Tell That!” – Seaweed, Little Inez, Ensemble
“Big, Blonde and Beautiful” – Motormouth, Tracy, Edna, Wilbur, Ensemble
Act 2:
“The Big Dollhouse” – Matron, Edna, Velma, Tracy, Amber, Penny, Motormouth, Little Inez, Ensemble
“Good Morning Baltimore (Reprise)” – Tracy
“(You’re) Timeless to Me” – Edna, Wilbur
“Without Love” – Tracy, Link, Penny, Seaweed, Ensemble
“I Know Where I’ve Been” – Motormouth, Ensemble
“(It’s) Hairspray” – Corny, Ensemble
“Cooties” – Amber, Ensemble
“You Can’t Stop the Beat” – Tracy, Link, Penny, Seaweed, Edna, Wilbur, Motormouth, Velma, Amber, 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.
