Audition Songs for Parade – By Character
When considering audition songs for Parade, it’s fitting to choose a dramatic song from 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 Parade premiered in 1998, 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 Parade.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just know that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
Be sure to indicate that you’re open to the ensemble or other roles. You’ll gain valuable experience no matter where you’re placed. And remember, even if you audition for the ensemble, you could still be cast in a leading or supporting role.
To summarize, keep an open mind and have fun with this! And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
The Audition Songs
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)
“Guv’ment” – Big River
“Yankee Boy” – Rags
“Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime
Ensemble (Basses)
“Father How Long?” – The Civil War
“Poor Child” – The Wild Party
“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 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!
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
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.
