The Best Audition Songs for Shrek – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Shrek? 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 Shrek, broken down by character.
Since Shrek is a contemporary musical, the following songs are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, there are lots of character/comedic song choices included 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 Shrek cast album➝ while reading the synopsis. 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 (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.
Donkey
“Friend Like Me” – Aladdin
“Here I Come” – 13
“My Problem Right There” – Hands on a Hardbody
“Never Ever Getting Rid of Me” – Waitress
Dragon
“Brand New You” – 13
“I Didn’t Plan It” – Waitress
“I’m Outta Here” – Ghost
“What You Got” – Freaky Friday
Lord Farquaad
“It Must Be Believed to Be Seen” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
“The Bottom Line” – Newsies
“The Military” – Seussical
“Wonderful” – Wicked
Pinocchio
“Abigail” – Dear Edwina
“Human Stuff” – The Little Mermaid
“Notice Me, Horton” – Seussical
“Positoovity” – The Little Mermaid
Princess Fiona
“Beyond My Wildest Dreams” – The Little Mermaid
“It Roars” – Mean Girls
“True Love’s Kiss” – Enchanted [2000s film/non-theatre]
“Watch What Happens” – Newsies
Shrek
“Be the Hero” – Big Fish
“Fight the Dragons” – Big Fish
“How It Ends” – Big Fish
“Man” – The Full Monty
Young/Teenage Fiona
“Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” – Frozen
“Good Girl Winnie Foster” – Tuck Everlasting
“Periwinkle” – Dear Edwina
“When I Grow Up” – Matilda
Ensemble (Altos)
“Diva’s Lament” – Spamalot
“Sing Your Own Song” – Dear Edwina
“The Lady’s Improving” – The Prom
Ensemble (Baritones)
“A Day for the Cat In the Hat” – Seussical
“Alone in the Universe” – Seussical
“How Lucky You Are” – Seussical
Ensemble (Basses)
“Happy/Sad” – The Addams Family
“Please Send Me Someone” – Young Frankenstein
“Reindeers are Better Than People” – Frozen
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Want the Good Times Back” – The Little Mermaid
“Shine” – Billy Elliot
“Sister Act” – Sister Act
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Home” – Beetlejuice
“The Lamest Place in the World” – 13
“Where Is the Rainbow?” – Nunset Boulevard
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“No One Cared Like You” – Nunsense II
“Saturday Alone” – Calvin Berger
“The World Above” – The Little Mermaid
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Different” – Honk!
“The Moon and Me” – The Addams Family
“You Run Away” – Barenaked Ladies [2010s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Trebles/Children)
“In the Big Blue World” – Finding Nemo
“It’s Possible” – Seussical
“Now I See” – Junie B. Jones
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Shrek:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “Just Right” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Living Large” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Pail of Water” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Parade” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
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!
Shrek Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Shrek, 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:
“Big Bright Beautiful World” – Shrek, Mama Ogre, Papa Ogre
“Story Of My Life” – Pinocchio, Ensemble
“Don’t Let Me Go” – Donkey
“I Know It’s Today” – Young Fiona, Teenage Fiona, Fiona
“What’s Up, Duloc?” – Lord Farquaad, Ensemble
“Travel Song” – Donkey, Shrek
“Donkey Pot Pie” – Dragon, Donkey
“This Is How A Dream Comes True” – Fiona, Shrek
“Who I’d Be” – Shrek, Fiona, Donkey
Act 2:
“Morning Person” – Fiona
“I Think I Got You Beat” – Fiona, Shrek
“The Ballad Of Farquaad” – Lord Farquaad
“Make A Move” – Donkey, Ensemble
“When Words Fail” – Shrek
“Morning Person (Reprise)” – Fiona, Shrek
“Build A Wall” – Shrek
“Freak Flag” – Gingy, Pinocchio, Ensemble
“Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)” – Shrek
“Beautiful Ain’t Always Pretty” – Shrek
“This is Our Story” – Fiona, Shrek, Donkey, Gingy, Pinocchio, Ensemble
“I’m a Believer” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Shrek 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.