The Best Audition Songs for Rent – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Rent? 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 Rent, broken down by character.
Since Rent is a musical from the 1990s, most of the songs below are from musicals between 1990-2010. In addition, there is an angsty pop/rock vibe to many of the following songs 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.
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 read through the synopsis or libretto for Rent➝ while listening to the Rent cast album➝. Or you can watch the live recording of the show➝.
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.
Angel Dumott Schunard
“Left Behind” – Spring Awakening
“Not My Father’s Son” – Kinky Boots
“There’s a World” – Next to Normal
“Wig in a Box” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Benjamin Coffin III (Benny)
“Another Pyramid” – Aida
“Breeze Off the River” – The Full Monty
“I’ll Be Here” – The Wild Party
“Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Joanne Jefferson
“Change” – A New Brain
“Fabulous, Baby!” – Sister Act
“Something Bad Is Happening” – Falsettos
“We Had a Dream” – The Life
Mark Cohen
“All That’s Known” – Spring Awakening
“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
“It’s a Woman’s World” – The Full Monty
“Look At Me Now” – The Wild Party
“The Life of the Party” – The Wild Party
Mimi Márquez
“It Won’t Be Long Now” – In the Heights
“Portrait of a Girl” – Bare
“Saturday Night In The City” – The Wedding Singer
“Whispering” – Spring Awakening
Roger Davis
“I’m Alive” – Next to Normal
“Radames’ Letter” – Aida
“Say It To Me Now” – Once
“See Her Smile” – Tick, Tick … Boom!
Tom Collins
“How Glory Goes” – Floyd Collins
“Make Them Hear You” – Ragtime
“They Live in You” – The Lion King
“Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Quiet Night At Home” – Bare
“Come to Your Senses” – Tick, Tick…BOOM!
“Keys” – Passing Strange
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Don’t Do Sadness” – Spring Awakening
“The Origin of Love” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“Why” – Tick, Tick … Boom!
Ensemble (Basses)
“Aftershocks” – Next to Normal
“Father How Long?” – The Civil War
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Contras)
“30/90” – Tick, Tick … Boom!
“Amazing Journey” – The Who’s Tommy
“My Body Wasn’t Why” – The Glorious Ones
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“He’s No Good” – The Life
“I Can Do Better Than That” – The Last Five Years
“Infinite Joy” – Elegies: A Song Cycle
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Endless Night” – The Lion King
“He’s Not Here” – Next to Normal
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” – The Who’s Tommy
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Rent:
• “At the Table” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Big Scary Animals” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Bread and Circuses” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “NYC 523” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Queer Theory” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
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!
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! 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:
“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, Gordon, Ali, Pam, Sue, Paul, Angel, Collins, Mark
“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” – Waiter, 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
Which of these audition songs for Rent 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 holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.