Audition Songs for Next to Normal – By Character
Last Updated: January, 2026
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 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 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 comfort level.
The Audition Songs
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: 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!
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
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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.
