The Best Audition Songs for Next to Normal – By Character
When considering audition songs for Next to Normal, it’s fitting to choose a pop/rock 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 Next to Normal premiered in 2008, 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 uptempo, 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 Next to Normal.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for Next to Normal
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
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
❓ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or something even more unique!
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Next to Normal:
• “A Good Guy” from Kimberly Akimbo
• “Big Green Pill” From God’s Ear
• “Blue Tile” from Everything So Far
• “Shetland Pony” from The Light in the Piazza
• “The World Is Turning” from The Father
Step 5: Audition Prep
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.
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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! 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:
“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
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.
