The Best Audition Songs for Rock of Ages – By Character
When considering audition songs for Rock of Ages, it’s fitting to choose a rock song from musical theatre or non-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 Rock of Ages is a jukebox musical featuring classic rock songs, many of the audition songs below are from between the 1970s and 1980s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
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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 Rock of Ages.
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 Rock of Ages
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
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 Boley
“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 Barnett
“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 Christian
“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
“More Than a Feeling” – Boston [1970s/non-theatre]
“Pity the Child” – Chess
“We Are the Champions” – Queen [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Hot for Teacher” – Van Halen [1980s/non-theatre]
“Kiss Me Deadly” – Lita Ford [1980s/non-theatre]
“Magic Man” – Heart [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Midnight Radio” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“Rebel Yell” – Billy Idol [1980s/non-theatre]
“Rock & Roll” – The Velvet Underground [1970s/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
“School’s Out” – Alice Cooper [1970s/non-theatre]
“You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” – Meat Loaf [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Separate Ways” – Journey [1980s/non-theatre]
“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➝
• “Hear That Song?➝” from Ohio (Cat)
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
• “The Whales” from Danny and the Deep Blue Sea
• “Wormhole➝” from Ohio (Zach)
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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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
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.
