Musical-Specific Audition Songs

The Best Audition Songs for Parade – by Character

Do you have an upcoming audition for Parade? 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 Parade, broken down by character.

Since Parade is a 1990s musical, the following songs are from shows between the 1980s – 2010s. There are also lots of dramatic selections below to match the musical’s style.


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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 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 Parade.


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.


Britt Craig

Bigger Isn’t Better” – Barnum

Hand for the Hog” – Big River

Magic Foot” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Mama Says” – Footloose


Frankie Epps

All Hail the Brain” – 13

Here I Come” – 13

Top of the World” – Tuck Everlasting

Warts and All” – Honk!


Jim Conley / Newt Lee

Don’t Take Much” – The Life

Early in the Morning” – Five Guys Named Moe

Heaven Help Me” – Footloose

Patriotic” – Rocky


Leo Frank

How It Ends” – Big Fish

It All Fades Away” – The Bridges of Madison County

Temporarily Lost” – The Bridges of Madison County

The World Inside a Frame” – The Bridges of Madison County


Lucille Frank

Back to Before” – Ragtime

Children of the Wind” – Rags

Goodbye, My Love” – Ragtime

Loving You” – Passion


Mary Phagan

Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad” – Bonnie & Clyde

Everlasting” – Tuck Everlasting

Good Girl Winnie Foster” – Tuck Everlasting

Picture Show” – Bonnie & Clyde  [Young Bonnie’s part]


Ensemble (Altos)

Another Life” – The Bridges of Madison County

Lay Down Your Head” – Violet

Your Daddy’s Son” – Ragtime


Ensemble (Baritones)

Barrett’s Song” – Titanic

Guv’ment” – Big River

Yankee Boy” – Rags


Ensemble (Basses)

Father How Long?” – The Civil War

Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime

Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel


Ensemble (Contras)

That’s What You Call a Dream” – Bonnie & Clyde

The Music Still Plays On” – A New Brain

Woman” – The Pirate Queen


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


Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde

The Flagmaker, 1775” – Songs for a New World

When Will Someone Hear?” – Martin Guerre


Ensemble (Sopranos)

Believe” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

How Could I Ever Know?” – The Secret Garden

I’m Leaving You” – The Life


Ensemble (Tenors)

Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty

Make Them Hear You” – Ragtime

Time” – Tuck Everlasting


Step 4: Select a monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Parade:

• “Jugger’s Rain #1” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝

• “Jugger’s Rain #2” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝

• “Very Well➝” from Enemies➝  (She)

• “What Truth?” from The Cherry Orchard➝

• “Wilderness of Mirrors” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝


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!


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

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Parade Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Parade, 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:

“Prologue: The Old Red Hills of Home” – Young Soldier, Old Soldier, Ensemble

“Anthem: The Dream of Atlanta” – Ensemble

How Can I Call This Home?” – Leo, Ensemble

“The Picture Show” – Frankie, Mary

“Leo At Work” / “What Am I Waiting For?” – Leo, Lucille, Ensemble

“Interrogation Sequence” – Newt Lee

“Funeral Sequence” – Frankie, Ensemble

“Watson’s Lullaby” – Tom Watson

“Somethin’ Ain’t Right” – Hugh Dorsey

Big News!” – Britt Craig, Ensemble

You Don’t Know This Man” – Lucille

“Hammer of Justice” – Watson, Ensemble

“Twenty Miles From Marietta” – Hugh Dorsey

“Frankie’s Testimony” – Frankie, Mary, Watson, Ensemble

“The Factory Girls” / “Come Up to My Office” – Leo, Ensemble

My Child Will Forgive Me” – Mrs. Phagan

That’s What He Said” – Jim Conley, Ensemble

It’s Hard to Speak My Heart” – Leo

“Closing Statements and Verdict” – Ensemble


Act 2:

“A Rumblin’ and a Rollin'” – Riley, Angela

Do It Alone” – Lucille

Pretty Music” – Governor Slaton

“The Glory” – Judge Roan, Dorsey

“This Is Not Over Yet” – Leo, Lucille

“Blues: Feel the Rain Fall” – Jim Conley, Ensemble

“Where Will You Stand When the Flood Comes?” – Watson, Dorsey, Ensemble

“All the Wasted Time” – Leo, Lucille

“Sh’ma” – Leo

“Finale” – Lucille, Leo, Frankie, Company


Which of these audition songs for Parade 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!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.


Stacy Karyn, Author of Audition Songs for Parade.
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 and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.


 

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