The Best Audition Songs for Rent – By Character
When considering audition songs for Rent, it’s fitting to choose a pop/rock 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 Rent premiered in 1996, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1980s and 2010s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
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 about Rent.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for Rent
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Angel Dumott Schunard
“And You Don’t Even Know It” – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
“Hold Me In Your Heart” – Kinky Boots
“Not My Father’s Son” – Kinky Boots
“Sex Is in the Heel” – Kinky Boots
Benjamin Coffin III (Benny)
“Boundaries” – A Strange Loop
“I’ll Be Here” – The Wild Party
“Let It Sing” – Violet
“Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Joanne Jefferson
“Change” – A New Brain
“Fabulous, Baby!” – Sister Act
“It’s a Woman’s World” – The Full Monty
“Something Bad Is Happening” – Falsettos
Mark Cohen
“30/90” – Tick, Tick … Boom!
“If I Didn’t Believe in You” – The Last Five Years
“I’m Not That Guy” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“The Schmuel Song” – The Last Five Years
Maureen Johnson
“An Old-Fashioned Love Story” – The Wild Party
“Look At Me Now” – The Wild Party
“The Life of the Party” – The Wild Party
“What You Got” – Freaky Friday
Mimi Márquez
“Come Down Now” – Passing Strange
“If The World Should End” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
“It Won’t Be Long Now” – In the Heights
“Saturday Night In The City” – The Wedding Singer
Roger Davis
“Leave” – Once
“Radames’ Letter” – Aida
“Say It To Me Now” – Once
“See Her Smile” – Tick, Tick … Boom!
Tom Collins
“Bui Doi” – Miss Saigon
“Golden Boy” – The Wild Party
“Poor Child” – The Wild Party
“Real Life” – Tick, Tick…Boom!
🎭 Do you know your casting type? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Come to Your Senses” – Tick, Tick…BOOM!
“Didn’t I See This Movie?” – Next to Normal
“Keys” – Passing Strange
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Midnight Radio” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“The Origin of Love” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“Why” – Tick, Tick … Boom!
Ensemble (Basses)
“If I Sing” – Closer Than Ever
“Sleeping” – Once
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Contras)
“A Miracle Would Happen” – The Last Five Years
“How Did We Come to This?” – The Wild Party
“My Body Wasn’t Why” – The Glorious Ones
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Hear My Song” – Songs for a New World
“I’m Leaving You” – The Life
“Infinite Joy” – Elegies: A Song Cycle
Ensemble (Tenors)
“And They’re Off” – A New Brain
“He’s Not Here” – Next to Normal
“She Cries” – Songs for a New World
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Rent:
• “Choices” from The New Sincerity
• “Lonely Billions” from Middletown
• “My Fellow Hospitals” from The Normal Heart
• “My Life in Vinyl” from High Fidelity
• “The Whales” from Danny and the Deep Blue Sea
Step 5: Audition Prep
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
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Rent Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Rent, 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! This 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:
“Tune Up #1” – Mark, Roger
“Voice Mail #1” – Mrs. Cohen
“Tune Up #2” – Mark, Roger, Collins, Benny
“Rent” – Mark, Roger, Joanne, Collins, Benny, Company
“You Okay Honey?” – Angel, Collins, Ensemble
“Tune Up #3” – Mark, Roger
“One Song Glory” – Roger
“Light My Candle” – Mimi, Roger
“Voice Mail #2” – Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson
“Today 4 U” – Mark, Collins, Roger, Angel
“You’ll See” – Benny, Mark, Roger, Collins, Angel
“Tango: Maureen” – Mark, Joanne
“Life Support” – Steve, Angel, Collins, Mark, Ensemble
“Out Tonight” – Mimi
“Another Day” – Mimi, Roger, Ensemble
“Will I?” – Steve, Ensemble
“On the Street” – Mark, Angel, Ensemble
“Santa Fe” – Collins, Angel, Mark, Ensemble
“I’ll Cover You” – Angel, Collins
“We’re Okay” – Joanne
“Christmas Bells” – Collins, Angel, Mark, Roger, Mimi, Benny, Ensemble
“Over the Moon” – Maureen
“La Vie Bohème A” – Roger, Mark, Collins, Maureen, Benny, Angel, Mimi, Joanne, Company
“I Should Tell You” – Mimi, Roger
“La Vie Bohème B” – Maureen, Joanne, Mark, Angel, Collins, Company
Act 2:
“Seasons of Love” – Company
“Happy New Year” – Mimi, Roger, Maureen, Mark, Joanne, Collins, Angel
“Voice Mail #3” – Mrs. Cohen, Alexi Darling, Mark
“Happy New Year B” – Maureen, Mark, Joanne, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Angel, Benny
“Take Me or Leave Me” – Maureen, Joanne
“Seasons of Love B” – Company
“Without You” – Mimi, Roger
“Voice Mail #4” – Alexi Darling
“Contact” – Collins, Maureen, Mimi, Angel, Roger, Joanne, Company
“I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” – Collins, Company
“Halloween” – Mark
“Goodbye Love” – Mimi, Roger, Benny, Maureen, Joanne, Mark, Collins
“What You Own” – Mark, Roger
“Voice Mail #5” – Roger’s Mother, Mimi’s Mother, Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Cohen
“Finale A” – Mark, Roger, Collins, Maureen, Mimi, Joanne, Ensemble
“Your Eyes” – Roger
“Finale B” – Roger, Mimi, Company
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.
