The Best Audition Songs for Rock of Ages – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Rock of Ages? 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 Rock of Ages, by character.
Since Rock of Ages is a jukebox pop/rock musical, the songs below are pop/rock songs as well (both musical theatre and non-musical theatre). In addition, there are lots of non-musical theatre 70s/80s rock songs 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.
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 Rock of Ages 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 (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.
Dennis Dupree
“All Out of Love” – Air Supply [1980s/non-theatre]
“Life on Mars?” – David Bowie [1970s/non-theatre]
“Lost in Love” – Air Supply [1980s/non-theatre]
“Memphis Lives in Me” – Memphis
Drew
“Faithfully” – Journey [1980s/non-heatre]
“Ramades’ Letter” – Aida
“Start Me Up” – The Rolling Stones [1980s/non-theatre]
“Your Eyes” – Rent
Franz & Hertz Klinemann
* Be prepared to speak/do a monologue in a German accent.
“Rock You Like a Hurricane” – Scorpions [1980s/non-theatre]
“Still Loving You” – Scorpions [1980s/non-theatre]
“Wind of Change” – Scorpions [1990s/non-theatre]
Lonny
“Alas for You” – Godspell
“Cold as Ice” – Foreigner [1970s/non-theatre]
“Dream On” – Aerosmith [1970s/non-theatre]
“I’m Free” – The Who’s Tommy
Sherrie
“Heaven Help My Heart” – Chess
“Love is a Battlefield” – Pat Benatar [1980s/non-theatre]
“Shadows of the Night” – Pat Benatar [1980s/non-theatre]
“Nobody’s Side” – Chess
Stacee Jaxx
“Amazing Journey” – The Who’s Tommy
“Home Sweet Home” – Mötley Crüe [1980s/non-theatre]
“More Than a Feeling” – Boston [1970s/non-theatre]
“Pity the Child” – Chess
Ensemble (Altos)
“Kiss Me Deadly” – Lita Ford [1980s/non-theatre]
“Make Up My Heart” – Starlight Express
“Separate Ways” – Journey [1980s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Midnight Radio” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“Mystify” – INXS [1980s/non-theatre]
“Rebel Yell” – Billy Idol [1980s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“C’est La Vie” – Emerson Lake & Palmer [1970s/non-theatre]
“Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division [1980s/non-theatre]
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Contras)
“Every Story is a Love Story” – Aida
“Magic Man” – Heart [1970s/non-theatre]
“You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” – Meat Loaf [1970s/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Saturday Night In The City” – The Wedding Singer
“Smash the Mirror” – The Who’s Tommy
“What About Love?” – Heart [1980s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Heaven Can Wait” – Meat Loaf [1970s/non-theatre]
“I’m Too Hot for You” – School of Rock
“Making Love Out of Nothing At All” – Air Supply [1980s/non-theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Rock of Ages:
• “Bridge Partners” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Hear That Song?➝” from Ohio (Cat)
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
• “Wormhole➝” from Ohio (Zach)
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!
Rock of Ages Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Rock of Ages 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.
Act 1:
“Just Like Paradise” / “Nothin’ but a Good Time” – Lonny, Justice, Dennis, Drew, Ensemble
“Sister Christian” – Sherrie, Drew, Ensemble
“We Built This City” / “Too Much Time on My Hands” – Drew, Dennis, Lonny, Stacee, Regina, Hertz, Franz, Ensemble
“I Wanna Rock” – Sherrie, Drew, Ensemble
“We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Regina, Ensemble
“Heaven” / “More Than Words” / “To Be with You” – Sherrie, Drew, Ensemble
“Waiting for a Girl Like You” – Drew, Sherrie, Lonny, Stacee
“Wanted Dead or Alive” – Stacee, Lonny, Sherrie, Ensemble
“I Want to Know What Love Is” – Stacee, Sherrie, Drew, Ensemble
“Feel the Noize” / “We’re Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)” – Lonny, Stacee, Dennis, Sherrie, Regina, Drew, Ensemble
“Harden My Heart” / “Shadows of the Night” – Sherrie, Justice, Lonny, Ensemble
“Here I Go Again” – Company
Act 2:
“The Final Countdown” – Hertz, Franz, Dennis, Lonny, Regina, Ensemble
“Any Way You Want It” / “I Wanna Rock (Reprise)” – Justice, Sherrie, Drew, Ensemble
“High Enough” – Sherrie, Drew
“I Hate Myself for Loving You” / “Heat of the Moment” – Sherrie, Stacee, Drew
“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” – Franz, Hertz, Regina, Ensemble
“Can’t Fight This Feeling” – Dennis, Lonny, Ensemble
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Justice, Sherrie, Drew, Franz, Hertz, Dennis, Lonny, Stacee, Ensemble
“Oh Sherrie” – Drew, Sherrie, Ensemble
“The Search Is Over” – Drew, Sherrie, Ensemble
“Don’t Stop Believin'” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Rock of Ages 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.