The Best Audition Songs for Next to Normal – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Next to Normal? 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 Next to Normal, by character.
Since Next to Normal is a contemporary musical, the following songs are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, there are lots of pop/rock vibes below in order to match the style of the show.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.
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 read through the synopsis or libretto for Next to Normal➝ while listening to the Next to Normal cast album➝.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide which character you’d like to audition for. 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 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.
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.
Dan
“Hey, Kid” – If/Then
“What Would You Do?” – If/Then
“You Don’t Need to Love Me” – If/Then
“You Never Know” – If/Then
“Whatever” – It Shoulda Been You
Diana
“I Don’t Need a Roof” – Big Fish
“I’ll Be Here” – Ordinary Days
“See I’m Smiling” – The Last Five Years
“So Big / So Small” – Dear Evan Hansen
“Two Men in My Life” – Big Fish
Dr. Madden
“Michael’s Reprise” – Tootsie
“Morning After Omelet” – Next Thing You Know
“Nobody Needs to Know” – The Last Five Years
“People Carry On” – The Story of My Life
“Write What You Know” – The Story of My Life
Gabe
“All That’s Known” – Spring Awakening
“For Forever” – Dear Evan Hansen
“Left Behind” – Spring Awakening
“Role of a Lifetime” – Bare
“The Mirror-Blue Night” – Spring Awakening
Henry
“Freeze Your Brain” – Heathers
“It Just Wasn’t Meant to Happen” – Calvin Berger
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“When She Smiles” – Lysistrata Jones
“Words Fail” – Dear Evan Hansen
Natalie
“A Quiet Night At Home” – Bare
“Fight For Me” – Heathers
“Parents Lie” – Freaky Friday
“Requiem” – Dear Evan Hansen
“Safer” – First Date
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Next to Normal:
• “At the Table” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Fun House Mirror” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Mom, Dad and a Bad Idea (#1)” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “The Fainting Couch” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “The Whiz” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
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!
Next to Normal Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Next to Normal, 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:
“Just Another Day” – Diana, Natalie, Gabe, Dan
“Everything Else” – Natalie
“Who’s Crazy” / “My Psychopharmacologist and I” – Dan, Dr. Madden, Diana
“Perfect for You” – Henry, Natalie
“I Miss the Mountains” – Diana
“It’s Gonna Be Good” – Dan, Natalie, Henry, Diana
“He’s Not Here” – Dan
“You Don’t Know” – Diana
“I Am the One” – Dan, Gabe, Diana
“Superboy and the Invisible Girl” – Natalie, Diana, Gabe
“I’m Alive” – Gabe
“Make Up Your Mind” / “Catch Me I’m Falling” – Dr. Madden, Diana, Dan, Natalie, Gabe, Henry
“I Dreamed a Dance” – Diana, Gabe
“There’s a World” – Gabe
“I’ve Been” – Dan, Gabe
“Didn’t I See This Movie?” – Diana
“A Light in the Dark” – Dan, Diana
Act 2:
“Wish I Were Here” – Diana, Gabe, Natalie
“Song of Forgetting” – Dan, Diana, Natalie
“Hey #1” – Henry, Natalie
“Seconds and Years” – Dr. Madden, Dan, Diana
“Better Than Before” – Dr. Madden, Dan, Natalie, Diana
“Aftershocks” – Gabe
“Hey #2” – Henry, Natalie
“You Don’t Know (Reprise)” – Diana, Dr. Madden
“How Could I Ever Forget?” – Diana, Dan
“It’s Gonna Be Good (Reprise)” – Dan, Diana
“Why Stay?” / “A Promise” – Diana, Natalie, Dan, Henry
“I’m Alive (Reprise)” – Gabe
“The Break” – Diana
“Make Up Your Mind” / “Catch Me I’m Falling (Reprise)” – Dr. Madden, Diana, Gabe
“Maybe (Next to Normal)” – Diana, Natalie
“Hey #3” / “Perfect For You (Reprise)” – Henry, Natalie
“So Anyway” – Diana
“I Am the One (Reprise)” – Dan, Gabe
“Light” – Diana, Dan, Natalie, Gabe, Henry, Dr. Madden
Which of these audition songs for Next to Normal 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.