The Best Audition Songs for In the Heights – By Character

Last Updated: June 9, 2025

If you’re looking for audition songs for In the Heights, it’s best to choose a pop, rap, or Latin song from contemporary musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.

Because In the Heights premiered in 2005, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 2000s and 2020s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.

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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.

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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 In the Heights.

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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.

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Abuela Claudia

“Daybreak” – Amazing Grace

“Dos Gardenias” – Buena Vista Social Club

“La Llorona” – Coco  [non-theatre]

“What Age Expects of You” – Calendar Girls

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Benny

“If You’re Out There” – John Legend  [non-theatre]

“Lay Low” – Lysistrata Jones

“One Knight” – Wonderland

“Passing Tracy” – Fugitive Songs

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Camila Rosario

“I’m Done” – Rocky

“Island” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

“Mi Tierra” – On Your Feet!

“Model Behavior” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

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Carla / Daniela

“Invisible” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

“Life With Harold” – The Full Monty

“Lovesick” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

“Mother’s Day” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

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Kevin Rosario

“A Light in the Dark” – Next to Normal

“Dos Oruguitas” – Encanto  [non-theatre]

“Endless Night” – The Lion King

“Fly, Mariposa, Fly” – Some Like It Hot

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Nina Rosario

“Manhattan Bridge” – Next Thing You Know

“Remember This” – The Mad Ones

“Say the Word” – The Mad Ones

“Times Are Hard for Dreamers” – Amélie

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Piragua Guy

“Go With the Flow” – Wonderland

“Madrid Is My Mama” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

“Papi Hears the Ocean” – The Band’s Visit

“Vivir Mi Vida” – Marc Anthony  [non-theatre]

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Usnavi de la Vega

“Delivery” – Working

“What the Heck I Gotta Do” – 21 Chump Street

“When the Booth Goes Bright” – Amélie

“You’re Welcome” – Moana

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Vanessa

“Sister’s Pickle” – Amélie

“The Girl Who Drove Away” – The Mad Ones

“This Wish” – Wish  [non-theatre]

“We’re Not Done” – Bring It On

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Ensemble (Altos)

“Adela” – Bernarda Alba

“Burn” – Hamilton

“One Perfect Moment” – Bring It On

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days

“If I Didn’t Believe in You” – The Last Five Years

“Hold On” – Lysistrata Jones

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Ensemble (Basses)

“Night Will Come” – Groundhog Day

“Remember Me (Lullaby)” – Coco  [non-theatre]

“What Would You Do?” – If/Then

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Ensemble (Contras)

“Home Calls” – Next Thing You Know

“Time Stood Still” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

“Welcome to Rosas” – Wish  [non-theatre]

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

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Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)

“Don’t Say Another Word” – Next Thing You Know

“I Could Go Back” – Fugitive Songs

“On and On and On” – We Aren’t Kids Anymore

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Born in Laredo” – Hands on a Hardbody

“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty

“Enjoy the Trip” – Bring It On

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Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for In the Heights:

• “I Don’t Want to Be an Actress➝” from Snakebit  (Jenifer)

• “It’s Best➝” from Elsewhere➝

• “Mic” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝

• “NYC 523” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝

• “That’s All I Got➝” from Other Desert Cities  (Trip)

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Final Step: Audition Prep

Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!

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In the Heights Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in In the Heights, 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.

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Act 1:

“In the Heights” – Usnavi, Company

“Breathe” – Nina, Ensemble

“Benny’s Dispatch” – Benny, Nina

“It Won’t Be Long Now” – Vanessa, Usnavi, Sonny

“Inútil” – Kevin

“No Me Diga” – Daniela, Carla, Vanessa, Nina

“96,000” – Usnavi, Benny, Sonny, Pete, Vanessa, Abuela Claudia, Daniela, Carla, Ensemble

“Paciencia y Fe” – Abuela Claudia, Ensemble

“When You’re Home” – Nina, Benny, Ensemble

“Piragua” – Piragua Guy

“The Club” – Usnavi, Vanessa, Nina, Benny, Ensemble

“Blackout” – Usnavi, Vanessa, Benny, Nina, Kevin, Sonny, Pete, Abuela Claudia, Carla, Ensemble

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Act 2:

“Sunrise” – Company

“Hundreds of Stories” – Abuela Claudia, Usnavi

“Enough” – Camila, Nina, Kevin

“Carnaval del Barrio” – Daniela, Carla, Vanessa, Benny, Usnavi, Sonny, Piragua Guy, Ensemble

“Atención” – Kevin

“Alabanza” – Usnavi, Nina, Ensemble

“Everything I Know” – Nina

“No Me Diga (Reprise)” – Carla, Nina, Vanessa, Daniela

“Piragua (Reprise)” – Piragua Guy

“Champagne” – Vanessa, Usnavi

“When the Sun Goes Down” – Nina, Benny

“Finale” – Company

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Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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Which of these audition songs for In the Heights 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.

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