The Best Audition Songs for In the Heights – By Character
When considering audition songs for In the Heights, it’s fitting to choose a pop, rap, or Latin song from contemporary 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 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 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 In the Heights.
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 In the Heights
✨Need more options? The list below gives you a great starting point! The Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio gives you access to thousands of songs, hundreds of monologues, and tools to help you find your casting lane! Explore the Repertoire Studio →
Abuela Claudia
“Daybreak” – Amazing Grace
“Dos Gardenias” – Buena Vista Social Club
“La Llorona” – Coco (Film)
“What Age Expects of You” – Calendar Girls
Benny
“If You’re Out There” – John Legend (Non-Theatre)
“Lay Low” – Lysistrata Jones
“One Knight” – Wonderland
“Passing Tracy” – Fugitive Songs
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
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
Kevin Rosario
“A Light in the Dark” – Next to Normal
“Dos Oruguitas” – Encanto (Film)
“Endless Night” – The Lion King
“Fly, Mariposa, Fly” – Some Like It Hot
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
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)
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
Vanessa
“Sister’s Pickle” – Amélie
“The Girl Who Drove Away” – The Mad Ones
“This Wish” – Wish (Film)
“We’re Not Done” – Bring It On
🎭 Are you never quite sure which roles to audition for? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Adela” – Bernarda Alba
“Burn” – Hamilton
“One Perfect Moment” – Bring It On
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days
“If I Didn’t Believe in You” – The Last Five Years
“Hold On” – Lysistrata Jones
Ensemble (Basses)
“Night Will Come” – Groundhog Day
“Remember Me (Lullaby)” – Coco (Film)
“What Would You Do?” – If/Then
Ensemble (Contras)
“Home Calls” – Next Thing You Know
“Time Stood Still” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“Welcome to Rosas” – Wish (Film)
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
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Born in Laredo” – Hands on a Hardbody
“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty
“Enjoy the Trip” – Bring It On
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for In the Heights:
• “Close to You” from Almost, Maine
• “Less Air to Breathe” from Almost, Maine
• “Like Anywhere Else” from Almost, Maine
• “The Word Beautiful” from Punk Rock
• “The World Is Turning” from The Father
Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools
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.
Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free resources on Patreon→
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! 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:
“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
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
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.
