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 musical from the 1990s, the songs below are from musicals between 1980-2015. In addition, there are lots of bluesy, country, and 1920s vibes below in order to match the style of the show.
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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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “Parade Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 listen to the Parade cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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
“She’s My Sister” – Memphis
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
“That’s What You Call a Dream” – Bonnie & Clyde
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Guv’ment” – Big River
“Make Them Hear You” – Ragtime
“Stronger” – Hands on a Hardbody
Ensemble (Basses)
“That’s What I Could Do” – Violet
“Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime
“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
Ensemble (Contras)
“Flying Home” – Songs for a New World
“The Music Still Plays On” – A New Brain
“Woman” – The Pirate Queen
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde
“The Flagmaker, 1775” – Songs for a New World
“When Will Someone Hear?” – Martin Guerre
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Almost Real” – The Bridges of Madison County
“I’m Leaving You” – The Life
“What Do You Call a Man Like That?” – The Bridges of Madison County
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty
“Nobody Needs to Know” – The Last Five Years
“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: 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!
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!
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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.