The Best Audition Songs for Spring Awakening – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Spring Awakening? 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 Spring Awakening, broken down by character.
Since Spring Awakening is a contemporary musical, the following songs are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, there are lots of dark, youthful, and pop/rock vibes below in order to match the style of the show.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.
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 pop/rock song, 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 read through the synopsis or libretto for Spring Awakening➝ while listening to the Spring Awakening cast album➝.
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.
Hänschen Rilow
“He’s Not Here” – Next to Normal
“Role of a Lifetime” – Bare
“Run Away” – Ben Platt [2010s/non-theatre]
“Words Fail” – Dear Evan Hansen
Ilse Neumann
“If The World Should End” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
“If You Want Me” – Once
“Some Things Fall Away” – Alice by Heart
“Winter Song” – Sara Bareilles [2000s/non-theatre]
Martha Bessell
“All Grown Up” – Bare
“I Say No” – Heathers
“I’m Done” – Rocky
“Winter Blooms” – Alice by Heart
Melchior Gabor
“Dreamer in Disguise” – Carrie
“Freeze Your Brain” – Heathers
“There’s a World” – Next to Normal
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Moritz Stiefel
“I’m Alive” – Next to Normal
“I’m Not That Guy” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“Second Nature” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“She Runs Away” – Duncan Sheik [1990s/non-theatre]
Wendla Bergmann
“A Girl Before” – American Psycho
“A Quiet Night At Home” – Bare
“Portrait of a Girl” – Bare
“Run to You” – Lea Michele [2010s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Bluebird” – Sara Bareilles [2010s/non-theatre]
“Lifeboat” – Heathers
“The Girl Who Drove Away” – The Mad Ones
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Loser Geek Whatever” – Be More Chill
“My Manhattan” – Daddy Long Legs
“You Will Never Know” – Theory of Relativity
Ensemble (Basses)
“Aftershocks” – Next to Normal
“Night Will Come” – Groundhog Day
“This Is Not An Exit” – American Psycho
Ensemble (Contras)
“Boy Falls From The Sky” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
“Come Back” – Dogfight
“It Means Beautiful” – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Remember Me” – Little Fish
“Requiem” – Dear Evan Hansen
“Superboy and the Invisible Girl” – Next to Normal
Ensemble (Tenors)
“In Case You Don’t Live for Forever” – Ben Platt [2010s/non-theatre]
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“Serena” – Duncan Sheik [1990/non-theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Spring Awakening:
• “Bernhardt/Hamlet (#1)” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Blue Stockings” in Contemporary Monologues for Teenagers: Female➝
• “I Can’t Trust Anything➝” from Watson Intelligence (Eliza)
• “Moon Man Walk” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Rooms” 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!
Spring Awakening Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Spring Awakening, 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:
“Mama Who Bore Me” – Wendla
“Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)” – Ensemble
“All That’s Known” – Melchior, Ensemble
“The B*tch of Living” – Moritz, Ensemble
“My Junk” – Ensemble
“Touch Me” – Ensemble
“The Word of Your Body” – Wendla, Melchior
“The Dark I Know Well” – Martha, Ilse
“And Then There Were None” – Frau Gabor, Moritz, Ensemble
“The Mirror-Blue Night” – Melchior, Ensemble
“I Believe” – Ensemble
Act 2:
“Don’t Do Sadness” / “Blue Wind” – Moritz, Ilse
“The Guilty Ones” – Wendla, Melchior, Ensemble
“Left Behind” – Melchior, Ensemble
“Totally F***ed” – Melchior, Ensemble
“The Word of Your Body (Reprise)” – Hänschen, Ernst, Ensemble
“Whispering” – Wendla
“Those You’ve Known” – Moritz, Wendla, Melchior
“The Song of Purple Summer” – Ilse, Company
Which of these audition songs for Spring Awakening 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.
*Featured image is by Otterbein University Theatre & Dance.
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.