The Best Audition Songs for Rocky – By Character
If you’re looking for audition songs for Rocky, it’s best to choose a pop/rock or dramatic song from contemporary musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.
Because Rocky premiered in 2012, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 2000s and 2020s. 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 comedic, 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 Rocky.
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
Adrian Pennino
“Another Life” – The Bridges of Madison County
“On Monday” – 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
“This Is My Life” – Pretty Woman
“You Can’t Be Everything You Want” – Next Thing You Know
Apollo Creed
“Gotta Start Somewhere” – Back to the Future
“I Could Be That Guy” – Sister Act
“My Problem Right There” – Hands on a Hardbody
“When I Find My Baby” – Sister Act
Mickey Goldmill
“A Little Luck” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Nicky Machiavelli” – A Bronx Tale
“One of the Great Ones” – A Bronx Tale
“Out of the Sun” – Honeymoon in Vegas
Rocky Balboa
“Dead Man’s Boots” – The Last Ship
“Raise a Little Hell” – Bonnie & Clyde
“Something About Her” – Pretty Woman
“The Night the Pugilist Learned How To Dance” – The Last Ship
Ensemble (Altos)
“One Day” – Groundhog Day
“I Won’t Let You Down” – Tootsie
“Nothing Stops Another Day” – Ghost
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Seeing You” – Groundhog Day
“Wondering” – The Bridges of Madison County
“You Will Still Be Mine” – Waitress
Ensemble (Basses)
“Everything About You” – Groundhog Day
“Night Will Come” –Groundhog Day
“What Would You Do?” – If/Then
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Dreamed a Dance” – Next to Normal
“Playing Nancy” – Groundhog Day
“There Was John” – Tootsie
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Anywhere But Here” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“I’m Outta Here” – Ghost
“Rodeo Drive” – Pretty Woman
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Freedom” – Pretty Woman
“The Seraph” – 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
“Unstoppable” – Tootsie
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Rocky:
• “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “I Took the Long Way➝” from Footloose (Shaw)
• “It’s Never One Thing➝” from Shows for Days (Irene)
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
• “We Both Are➝” from Footloose (Ren)
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!
Rocky Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Rocky, 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 I:
“Ain’t Down Yet” – Ensemble
“My Nose Ain’t Broken” – Rocky
“Raining” – Adrian
“Patriotic” – Apollo Creed, Ensemble
“My Nose Ain’t Broken (Reprise)” – Rocky
“The Flip Side” – Rocky, Adrian
“Adrian” – Rocky
“Wanna Know Why” – Rocky, Ensemble
“Fight From the Heart” – Rocky
“One of Us” – Company
Act II:
“In the Ring” – Mickey
“Training Montage #2” – Ensemble
“Happiness” – Rocky, Adrian
“I’m Done” – Adrian
“Southside Celebrity” – Apollo, Ensemble
“Undefeated Man”- Apollo, Ensemble
“Keep On Standing” – Rocky
“The Fight” – Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these audition songs for Rocky 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.
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 and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
