Musical-Specific Audition Songs

The Best Audition Songs for Once on This Island – By Character

If you’re looking for audition songs for Once on This Island, it’s best to choose a heartfelt song from musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.

Because Once on This Island premiered in 1990, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1980s and 2010s. 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 Once on This Island.


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 (rather than a specific character), there’s always a chance of being cast in a leading or 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.


Agwe

Live With Somebody You Love” – Martin Guerre

Make Them Hear You” – Ragtime

They Live in You” – The Lion King

Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime


Andrea Deveraux

China Doll” – Marguerite

The Finer Things” – Jane Eyre

What Only Love Can See” – Chaplin

Will You?” – Grey Gardens


Asaka

Circle of Life” – The Lion King

Hell No!” – The Color Purple

Raise Your Voice” – Sister Act

You Can’t Get to Heaven” – The Life


Daniel Beauxhomme

I Am My Own Invention” – Wonderland

One Step Closer” – The Little Mermaid

Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin

Take a Chance on Me” – Little Women


Erzulie

Christmas Lullaby” – Songs for a New World

Finding Wonderland” – Wonderland

He Lives in You (Reprise)” – The Lion King

The Gods Love Nubia” – Aida


Papa Ge

Easy as Life” – Aida

Sweet Child” – The Little Mermaid

The Court of Miracles” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Man I Used to Be” – The Count of Monte Cristo


Ti Moune

Almost There” – The Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]

Beyond My Wildest Dreams” – The Little Mermaid

Something of My Own” – Dessa Rose

That’s How You Know” – Enchanted [2000s film/non-theatre]


Tonton Julian

I Was Here” – The Glorious Ones

In Every Age” – Titanic

Love Who You Love” – A Man of No Importance

To Be a Captain” – Titanic


Ensemble (Altos)

Can You Find It In Your Heart?” – Footloose

My Strongest Suit” – Aida

Twelve Children” – Dessa Rose


Ensemble (Baritones)

Heaven’s Light” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Ink” – Dessa Rose

The Hardest Part of Love” – Children of Eden


Ensemble (Basses)

As Good As You” – Jane Eyre

If I Can’t Love Her (Reprise)” – Beauty and the Beast

Welcome to the World” – A Man of No Importance


Ensemble (Contras)

A Change in Me” – Beauty and the Beast

Shadowland” – The Lion King

White Milk & Red Blood” – Dessa Rose


Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!


Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

Around the World” – Grey Gardens

Dance to the Day” – The Prince of Egypt

Push Da Button” – The Color Purple


Ensemble (Sopranos)

I Still Believe” – Amazing Grace

Princess” – A Man of No Importance

The Sea of Life” – The Pirate Queen


Ensemble (Tenors)

Another Pyramid” – Aida

Endless Night” – The Lion King

Lost in the Wilderness” – Children of Eden


Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Once on This Island:

• “I Intend to Be a Queen➝” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown  (Lucy)

• “Moon Man Walk” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝

• “Mother Moon➝” from Fading Joy➝  (Joy)

• “Rooms” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝

• “That’s All I Got➝” from Other Desert Cities  (Trip)


Final Step: Audition Prep

Once you’ve gathered your materials and studied the show, it’s time to start preparing. Need help? Here’s a FREE audition prep checklist to stay organized for future auditions!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.

Once on This Island Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Once on This Island, 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.


“We Dance” – Ensemble

“One Small Girl” – Agwe, Asaka, Erzulie, Papa Ge, Tonton, Mama Euralie, Little Girl, Ensemble

Waiting for Life” – Ti Moune, Ensemble

“And the Gods Heard Her Prayer” / “Rain” – Asaka, Agwe, Erzulie, Papa Ge, Ensemble

“Discovering Daniel” / “Pray” – Ti Moune, Mama, Tonton, Ensemble

Forever Yours” – Ti Moune, Daniel, Papa Ge

“The Sad Tale of the Beauxhommes” – Armond, Ensemble

“Ti Moune”- Ti Moune, Mama, Tonton

“Mama Will Provide” – Asaka, Ensemble

“Some Say” – Ensemble

The Human Heart” – Erzulie, Ensemble

“Gossip” – Daniel, Ti Moune, Armand, Ensemble

Some Girls” – Daniel

“The Ball” – Andrea, Daniel, Ti Moune, Ensemble

“Ti Moune’s Dance” – Erzulie, Asaka, Agwe, Papa Ge, Ensemble

“When We Are Wed” – Andrea, Daniel, Ti Moune

“Forever Yours (Reprise)” – Papa Ge, Ti Moune, Erzulie, Ensemble

“A Part of Us” – Mama, Little Ti Moune, Erzulie, Asaka, Agwe, Tonton, Ensemble

“Why We Tell the Story” – Ensemble


Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

DIY Rep Book Page Ad.

Which of these audition songs for Once on This Island 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.


Author: Stacy Karyn

Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album ListShe holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

Photo of Stacy Karyn

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