The Best Audition Songs for Hamilton – by Character
Dreaming of auditioning for Hamilton one day? 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 Hamilton, broken down by character.
Hamilton is a new contemporary musical heavy in rap, pop, and R&B. At the moment, all auditions will be held through official casting calls, which are currently requesting pop/rock/rap songs for your audition. That’s why you’ll see that there are very few musical theatre songs for you to choose from below.
TIP: Prepare two songs from the following list (one rap/one non-rap) in order to be extra prepared for your audition.
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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 listen to the Hamilton cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis or libretto for Hamilton➝. Or you can watch the live recording of the show➝.
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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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.
Aaron Burr
“Glory” – John Legend [2010s/non-theatre]
“Grenade” – Bruno Mars [2010s/non-theatre]
“I Need a Dollar” – Aloe Blacc [2010s/non-theatre]
“Losers” – The Weeknd [2010s/non-theatre]
Alexander Hamilton
“Glorious” – Macklemore [2010s/non-theatre]
“Lose Yourself” – Eminem [2000s/non-theatre]
“Mockingbird” – Eminem [2000s/non-theatre]
“Not Afraid” – Eminem [2010s/non-theatre]
Angelica Schuyler
“Breathe” – In the Heights
“Grand Piano” – Nicki Minaj [2010s/non-theatre]
“It’s All Happening” – Bring It On
“Love the Way You Lie (Part II)” – Rihanna [2010s/non-theatre]
Eliza Hamilton
“Good Job” – Alicia Keys [2020s/non-theatre]
“Natasha Lost” – The Great Comet
“No One Else” – The Great Comet
“Underdog” – Alicia Keys [2020s/non-theatre]
George Washington
“All of Me” – John Legend [2010s/non-theatre]
“Fire on Fire” – Sam Smith [2010s/non-theatre]
“Preach” – John Legend [2010s/non-theatre]
“Shelter” – John Legend [2010s/non-theatre]
John Laurens / Philip Hamilton
“96,000” – In the Heights
“Battle Scars” – Guy Sebastian [2010s/non-theatre]
“It’s All Happening” – Bring It On [rap 1:30-2:02]
“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa/Charlie Puth [2010s/non-theatre]
King George
“Expectations” – Amazing Grace
“Let It Be” – Labrinth [2010s/non-theatre]
“Something’s Got to Give” – Labrinth [2010s/non-theatre]
“You’re Welcome” – Moana/Moana JR.
Marquis De Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson
“Before I Go” – Guy Sebastian [2020s/non-theatre]
“Changer” – Maître Gims [2010s/non-theatre]
“Choir” – Guy Sebastian [2010s/non-theatre]
“Zombie” – Maître Gims [2010s/non-theatre]
Peggy Schuyler / Maria Reynolds
“Burden Down” – Jennifer Hudson [2010s/non-theatre]
“Rock the Boat” – Aaliyah [2000s/non-theatre]
“So Gone” – Monica [2000s/non-theatre]
“Still Here” – Jennifer Hudson [2010s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Rain on Me” – Ashanti [2000s/non-theatre]
“We’re Not Done” – Bring It On
“Where Did I Go?” – Jorja Smith [2010s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Baritones/Basses)
“Empire State of Mind” – JAY-Z [2000s/non-theatre]
“Growing Up” – Macklemore [2010s/non-theatre]
“Inútil” – In the Heights
Ensemble (Contras)
“Amen” – Andra Day [2010s/non-theatre]
“Delivery” – Working
“The Boy is Mine” – Brandy [1990s/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“God is a Woman” – Ariana Grande [2010s/non-theatre]
“Rise Up” – Andra Day [2010s/non-theatre]
“Wreckless Love” – Alicia Keys [2000s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Cranes in the Sky” – Solange [2010s/non-theatre]
“Girl on Fire” – Alicia Keys [2010s/non-theatre]
“I Wish You Knew” – Mariah Carey [2000s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Hold On” – Lysistrata Jones
“If You’re Out There” – John Legend [2000s/non-theatre]
“Jealous” – Labrinth [2010s/non-theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Hamilton:
• “Church & State” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Going Mad➝” from Always Ridiculous➝
• “I Can’t Trust Anything➝” from Watson Intelligence (Eliza)
• “Little Victories” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “We the People” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
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!
Hamilton Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Hamilton, 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:
“Alexander Hamilton” – Burr, Laurens, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Eliza, Washington, Company
“Aaron Burr, Sir” – Hamilton, Burr, Laurens, Lafayette, Mulligan, Company
“My Shot” – Hamilton, Laurens, Lafayette, Mulligan, Burr, Company
“The Story of Tonight” – Hamilton, Laurens, Mulligan, Lafayette, Company
“The Schuyler Sisters” – Angelica, Eliza, Peggy, Burr, Company
“Farmer Refuted” – Seabury, Hamilton, Burr, Company
“You’ll Be Back” – King George III, Company
“Right Hand Man” – Washington, Hamilton, Burr, Company
“A Winter’s Ball” – Burr, Hamilton, Company
“Helpless” – Eliza, Company
“Satisfied” – Angelica, Company
“The Story of Tonight (Reprise)” – Laurens, Mulligan, Lafayette, Hamilton, Burr
“Wait for It” – Burr, Company
“Stay Alive” – Hamilton, Washington, Laurens, Lafayette, Mulligan, Lee, Eliza, Angelica, Company
“Ten Duel Commandments” – Laurens, Hamilton, Lee, Burr, Company
“Meet Me Inside” – Hamilton, Burr, Laurens, Washington, Company
“That Would Be Enough” – Eliza, Hamilton
“G*ns and Ships” – Burr, Lafayette, Washington, Company
“History Has Its Eyes on You” – Washington, Hamilton, Company
“Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” – Hamilton, Lafayette, Laurens, Mulligan, Washington, Company
“What Comes Next?” – King George III
“Dear Theodosia” – Burr, Hamilton
“Non-Stop” – Burr, Hamilton, Angelica, Eliza, Washington, Company
Act 2:
“What’d I Miss?” – Jefferson, Burr, Madison, Company
“Cabinet Battle #1” – Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison
“Take a Break” – Eliza, Philip, Hamilton, Angelica
“Say No to This” – Maria Reynolds, Burr, Hamilton, James, Company
“The Room Where It Happens” – Burr, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, Company
“Schuyler Defeated” – Philip, Eliza, Hamilton, Burr
“Cabinet Battle #2” – Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison
“Washington on Your Side” – Burr, Jefferson, Madison, Company
“One Last Time” – Washington, Hamilton, Company
“I Know Him” – King George III
“The Adams Administration” – Burr, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, Company
“We Know” – Hamilton, Jefferson, Burr, Madison
“Hurricane” – Hamilton, Company
“The Reynolds Pamphlet” – Jefferson, Madison, Burr, Hamilton, Angelica, James, Company
“Burn” – Eliza
“Blow Us All Away” – Philip, Washington, Hamilton, Company
“Stay Alive (Reprise)” – Hamilton, Philip, Eliza, Company
“It’s Quiet Uptown” – Angelica, Hamilton, Eliza, Company
“The Election of 1800” – Jefferson, Madison, Burr, Hamilton, Company
“Your Obedient Servant” – Burr, Hamilton, Company
“Best of Wives and Best of Women” – Eliza, Hamilton
“The World Was Wide Enough” – Burr, Hamilton, Company
“Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” – Eliza, Company
Which of these audition songs for Hamilton 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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.