The Best Audition Songs for High School Musical – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for High School Musical on Stage? 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 High School Musical, broken down by character.
Since High School Musical on Stage is a contemporary musical, the songs below are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, there is a youthful/vibrant vibe to most of the following songs in order 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 upbeat, 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 High School Musical cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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.
Chad Danforth
“All Hail the Brain” – 13
“Enjoy the Trip” – Bring It On
“I’m Alive” – Next to Normal
“Lay Low” – Lysistrata Jones
Gabriella Montez
“One Perfect Moment” – Bring It On
“Portrait of a Girl” – Bare
“True Love” – Frozen
“Where Am I Now?” – Lysistrata Jones
Ms. Darbus
“Here at Horace Green” – School of Rock
“Pathetic” – Matilda
“The Lady’s Improving” – The Prom
“Where Did the Rock Go?” – School of Rock
Ryan Evans
“Here I Come” – 13
“Edwina” – Dear Edwina
“Get Me What I Need” – 13
“Top of the World” – Tuck Everlasting
Sharpay Evans
“Cooties” – Hairspray
“Killer Instinct” – Bring It On
“Opportunity” – 13
“What You Got” – Freaky Friday
Taylor Mckessie
“Brand New You” – 13
“Parents Lie” – Freaky Friday
“Stupid With Love” – Mean Girls
“What It Means to Be a Friend” – 13
Troy Bolton
“Good Kid” – The Lightning Thief
“Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin
“Seventeen” – Tuck Everlasting
“When She Smiles” – Lysistrata Jones
Ensemble (Altos)
“Change the World” – Lysistrata Jones
“Lost in the Brass” – Band Geeks
“Sing Your Own Song” – Dear Edwina
Ensemble (Baritones/Basses)
“A Little More Homework” – 13
“And You Don’t Even Know It” – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
“Being a Geek” – 13
Ensemble (Contras)
“It Means Beautiful” – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
“Just Breathe” – The Prom
“Women and Sandwiches” – Freaky Friday
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“I See Stars” – Mean Girls
“Safer” – First Date
“The Lamest Place in the World” – 13
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“The Squip Song” – Be More Chill
“The Wall in My Head” – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for High School Musical:
• “Rooms” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Seven, Eight, Nine” in Kids’ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny➝
• “The Drama Department” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Three-Word Play” in The Acting Coach Approach: 48 Monologues for Kids➝
• “Trolling 101” 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!
High School Musical Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in High School Musical, 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:
“Wildcat Cheer” – Ensemble
“Start of Something New” – Troy, Gabriella, Chad, Taylor, Sharpay, Ryan, Zeke, Ensemble
“Get’cha Head in the Game” – Troy, Ensemble
“Get’cha Head in the Game (Reprise)” – Troy, Ensemble
“Auditions” – Ensemble
“What I’ve Been Looking For” – Ryan, Sharpay
“What I’ve Been Looking For (Reprise)” – Troy, Gabriella
“Cellular Fusion” – Taylor, Chad, Martha, Zeke, Kelsi, Sharpay, Ryan, Ensemble
“Stick to the Status Quo” – Zeke, Troy, Martha, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Ensemble
Act 2:
“I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” – Troy, Gabriella
“Wildcat Cheer (Reprise)” – Ensemble
“Counting on You” – Chad, Taylor, Zeke, Martha, Ensemble
“When There Was Me and You” – Gabriella, Troy, Ensemble
“Start of Something New (Reprise)” – Troy, Gabriella
“We’re All in This Together” – Chad, Taylor, Zeke, Kelsi, Martha, Ensemble
“Bop to the Top” – Sharpay, Ryan
“Breaking Free” – Troy, Gabriella, Ensemble
“We’re All in This Together (Reprise)” – Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpay, Ensemble
Which of these audition songs for High School Musical 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.