The Best Audition Songs for In the Heights – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for In the Heights? 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 In the Heights, broken down by character.
Since In the Heights is a contemporary musical, most of the songs below are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, many of the following songs have either energetic, pop, or Latin vibes to them 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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “In the Heights Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 read through the synopsis or libretto for In the Heights➝ while listening to the In the Heights cast album➝.
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.
Abuela Claudia
“La Llorona” – Coco [Disney/non-musical theatre]
“Love and Love Alone” – The Visit
“Only One” – Elegies: A Song Cycle
Benny
“One Knight” – Wonderland
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“When She Smiles” – Lysistrata Jones
“You Don’t Need to Love Me” – If/Then
Camila Rosario
“I’m Done” – Rocky
“Island” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“Mi Tierra” – On Your Feet!
Carla
“Mother’s Day” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“Once More I Can See” – Wonderland
“See I’m Smiling” – The Last Five Years
Daniela
“Invisible” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“Lovesick” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“You Can’t Be Everything You Want” – Next Thing You Know
Kevin Rosario
“Adrian” – Rocky
“Endless Night” – The Lion King
“Like Father, Like Son” – When Midnight Strikes
Nina Rosario
“Manhattan Bridge” – Next Thing You Know
“Remember This” – The Mad Ones
“Say the Word” – The Mad Ones
Piragua Guy
“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 [Latin pop/non-musical theatre]
Sonny de la Vega
“One Jump Ahead” – Aladdin
“Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin
“Whaddya Do?” – Tootsie
Usnavi de la Vega
“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty
“Delivery” – Working
“Moving Too Fast” – The Last Five Years
“Shiksa Goddess” – The Last Five Years
Vanessa
“A Part of That” – The Last Five Years
“Waiting for Life” – Once on This Island
“We’re Not Done” – Bring It On
Ensemble (Altos)
“Home Calls” – Next Thing You Know
“Life With Harold” – The Full Monty
“One Perfect Moment” – Bring It On
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days
“If I Didn’t Believe in You” – The Last Five Years
“The Microphone” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Ensemble (Basses)
“Hold On” – Lysistrata Jones
“Remember Me (Lullaby)” – Coco [Disney/non-musical theatre]
“What Would You Do?” – If/Then
Ensemble (Contras)
“Lay Low” – Lysistrata Jones
“Model Behavior” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“Time Stood Still” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Burn” – Hamilton
“Don’t Say Another Word” – Next Thing You Know
“Still Hurting” – The Last Five Years
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Born in Laredo” – Hands on a Hardbody
“Enjoy the Trip” – Bring It On
“You’re Welcome” – Moana/Moana JR.
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)
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!
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.
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
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.
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.