The Best Audition Songs for Schoolhouse Rock Live! – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Schoolhouse Rock Live!? 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 Schoolhouse Rock Live!, broken down by character.
Since Schoolhouse Rock Live! is a 1990s musical that’s based on the 1970s cartoon, the songs below are from the 1970s-1990s as well. In addition there is a youthful/playful vibe to many of the songs below in order to match the style of the show.
* IMPORTANT: If you are auditioning for Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr., make sure to transpose your chosen sheet music and choose a key that’s right for your voice.
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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 watch the live recording of the show➝.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide which character you’d like to audition for. 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 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.
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.
Dina
“Mabel’s Prayer” – Fame
“Teaching Third Grade” – Ruthless!
“These Are My Children” – Fame
“Times Like This” – Lucky Stiff
Dori
* Perhaps with a bit less “twang” if using the country songs below
“Every Day of the Week is a Saturday” – Nunsense Jamboree
“Funny” – My Favorite Year
“I Could’ve Gone to Nashville” – Nunsense
“Santa Ain’t Comin’ to Our House” – Nuncrackers
George
“Daisy Hill” – Snoopy!!!
“Friend” – Snoopy!!!
“The Christmas Box” – Nuncrackers
“Where Did That Little Dog Go?” – Snoopy!!!
Joe
“Don’t Be Anything Less” – Snoopy!!!
“Extraordinary” – Pippin
“I Can Do That” – A Chorus Line
“I Can’t Stand Still” – Footloose
Shuli
“Disneyland” – Smile
“Nothing” – A Chorus Line
“Poor Sweet Baby” – Snoopy!!!
“Soon As I Get Home” – The Wiz
Tom
“Just One Person” – Snoopy!!!
“Morning Glow” – Pippin
“The Kid Inside” – Is There Life After High School?
“Things I Learned in High School” – Is There Life After High School?
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Schoolhouse Rock Live!:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “I Can’t Write” from The Genius➝
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “Maybe I’m Wrong” from The Genius➝ (Boy)
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
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!
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Schoolhouse Rock Live!, 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.
“Verb: That’s What’s Happening” – Company
“A Noun Is A Person, Place Or Thing” – Dori, Company
“Three Is a Magic Number” – George, Company
“Mother Necessity” – Company
“Sufferin’ Till Suffrage” – Dina, Shulie, Dori
“Lolly, Lolly, Lolly” – Tom, Joe, George
“Unpack Your Adjectives” – Shulie, Company
“Just a Bill” – George
“The Preamble” – Dori, Company
“Ready or Not, Here I Come” – Joe, Company
“Do The Circulation” – Company
“Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla” – Joe
“Figure Eight” – Shulie
“A Victim of Gravity” – George, Company
“Zero, My Hero” – George, Shulie
“Conjunction Junction” – Joe, Dina, Dori, Shulie
“Great American Melting Pot” – Dina, Shulie, Dori
“Elbow Room” – Dori, Company
“Interplanet Janet” – Shulie, Company
“Interjections” – Dina, Company
“The Tale of Mr. Morton” – Tom, Company
Which of these audition songs for Schoolhouse Rock Live! 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.