The Best Audition Songs for The Rocky Horror Show – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for The Rocky Horror Show? 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 The Rocky Horror Show, by character.
The Rocky Horror Show is a pre-contemporary musical with a 70s glam rock vibe. Because of that, the following songs are either from the 1960s/70s, or have a quirky/rock vibe to them. There are also some non-musical theatre songs mixed in, in case your audition allows that.
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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 read through the synopsis or libretto of The Rocky Horror Show➝ while listening to The Rocky Horror Show cast album➝. Or you can watch the RHPS film➝.
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.
Brad Majors
“Is Nothing Sacred” – Meat Loaf [1990s/non-theatre]
“Once Before I Go” – The Boy From Oz
“You Tore My Heart Out” – The Toxic Avenger
Columbia
“Heartbreaker” – Pat Benatar [1970s/non-theatre]
“Nobody’s Side” – Chess
“White Rabbit” – Jefferson Airplane [1960s/non-theatre]
Eddie/Dr. Scott
“Going Down” – Hair
“School’s Out” – Alice Cooper [1970s/non-theatre]
“Thank God She’s Blind” – The Toxic Avenger
Frank ‘N’ Furter
“Acid Queen” – The Who’s Tommy
“Evil Is Hot” – The Toxic Avenger
“Sugar Daddy” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Janet Weiss
“A Little More Love” – Olivia Newton-John [1970s/non-theatre]
“Magic” – Xanadu
“Magic Man” – Heart [1970s/non-theatre]
Magenta / Usherette
“Lonely Lady” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“Miss America” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“Smash the Mirror” – The Who’s Tommy
Riff Raff
“Amazing Journey” – The Who’s Tommy
“Cherry Pie” – Warrant [1990s/non-theatre]
“Heaven on Their Minds” – Jesus Christ Superstar
Rocky Horror
“Burning Love” – Elvis Presley [1970s/non-theatre]
“Cold as Ice” – Foreigner [1970s/non-theatre]
“Ladies’ Choice” – Hairspray
Ensemble (Altos)
“Make Up My Heart” – Starlight Express
“Surabaya-Santa” – Songs for a New World
‘What a Nice Idea” – Two Gentlemen of Verona
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Dentist!” – Little Shop of Horrors
“Midnight Radio” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“The Origin of Love” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Basses)
“Pilate’s Dream” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“Sunday Morning” – The Velvet Underground [1960s/non-theatre]
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Contras)
“Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy” – Queen [1970s/non-theatre]
“Tell Me It’s Not True” – Blood Brothers
“Wig in a Box” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Another Suitcase in Another Hall” – Evita
“Little Queen” – Heart [1970s/non-theatre]
“Out Here On My Own” – Fame
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Pity the Child” – Chess
“Radames’ Letter” – Aida
“The Man Who Sold the World” – David Bowie [1970s/non-theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Rocky Horror Show:
• “Fun House Mirror” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “MacKenzie #1” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “Shadow” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Spirit” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Wormhole➝” from Ohio (Zach)
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!
The Rocky Horror Show Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Rocky Horror Show 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.
“Science Fiction” – Usherette
“Damn It, Janet” – Brad, Janet
“Over at the Frankenstein Place” – Janet, Brad, Riff Raff
“Time Warp” – Riff Raff, Magenta, Columbia, Narrator, Company
“Sweet Transvestite” – Frank, Brad, Ensemble
“The Sword of Damocles” – Rocky, Ensemble
“Charles Atlas Song” – Frank, Ensemble
“Hot Patootie” – Eddie, Ensemble
“Charles Atlas Song (Reprise)” – Frank, Janet, Ensemble
“Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch Me” – Janet, Rocky, Ensemble
“Once in a While” – Brad, Ensemble
“Eddie’s Teddy” – Dr. Scott, Narrator, Columbia, Frank, Janet, Company
“Planet Schmanet Janet” – Frank
“Rose Tint My World” – Columbia, Rocky, Brad, Janet
“Superheroes” – Brad, Janet, Narrator, Company
“Science Fiction (Reprise)” – Usherette, Company
“Sweet Transvestite (Reprise)” – Company
“Time Warp (Reprise)” – Company
Which of these audition songs for The Rocky Horror Show 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.