The Best Audition Songs for The Rocky Horror Show – By Character
If you’re looking for audition songs for The Rocky Horror Show, it’s best to choose a rock or character-driven musical theatre song that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.
Because The Rocky Horror Show premiered in 1973, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1960s and 2000s. 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 uptempo, 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 more about The Rocky Horror 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.
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
“Cold As Ice” – Foreigner [1970s/non-theatre]
“Ladies’ Choice” – Hairspray
“Little Sister” – Elvis Presley [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Make Up My Heart” – Starlight Express
“Surabaya-Santa” – Songs for a New World
“Take That Look Off Your Face” – Tell Me on a Sunday
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
“Those Magic Changes” – Grease
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: 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!
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
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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.
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.
