Musical-Specific Audition Songs

The Best Audition Songs for Waitress – By Character

If you’re looking for audition songs for Waitress, it’s best to choose a folk or country song from contemporary musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.

Because Waitress premiered in 2015, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 2000s and 2020s. 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 Waitress.


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.


Becky

Almost There” – The Princess and the Frog [2000s film/non-theatre]

Burden Down” – Jennifer Hudson [2010s/non-theatre]

Do The Sacred Mass” – Sister Act

Fabulous, Baby!” – Sister Act

I’m Outta Here” – Ghost

Raise Your Voice” – Sister Act


Dawn

Asheville” – Bright Star

Before It’s Over” – Dogfight

Lost in the Brass” – Band Geeks

Nothing Short of Wonderful” – Dogfight

Paper Hearts” – Tori Kelly [2010s/non-theatre]

Pretty Funny” – Dogfight


Dr. Jim Pomatter

As Good As I Get” – Next Thing You Know

Human” – Jon McLaughlin [2000s/non-theatre]

My Manhattan” – Daddy Long Legs

Thin Air” – Amélie

Whatever” – It Shoulda Been You

When the Booth Goes Bright” – Amélie


Earl Hunterson

Adrian” – Rocky

Build a Wall” – Shrek

Ever the Same” – Rob Thomas [2000s/non-theatre]

Keep on Standing” – Rocky

My Problem Right There” – Hands on a Hardbody

Second Nature” – Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson


Jenna Hunterson

A Part of That” – The Last Five Years

I Can Do Better Than That” – The Last Five Years

King of Anything” – Sara Bareilles [2010s/non-theatre]

Near to You” – A Fine Frenzy [2000s/non-theatre]

On My Way” – Violet

See I’m Smiling” – The Last Five Years


Joe

Be the Hero” – Big Fish

It All Fades Away” – The Bridges of Madison County

Something From a Dream” – The Bridges of Madison County

Welcome to the World” – A Man of No Importance

Who I’d Be” – Shrek


Ogie Anhorn

Don’t Let Me Go” – Shrek

Everything’s Golden” – Tuck Everlasting

How Lucky You Are” – Seussical

Lucky” – Lucky Stiff

Magic Foot” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee


Ensemble (Altos)

Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad” – Bonnie & Clyde

If You Knew My Story” – Bright Star

Uncharted” – Sara Bareilles [2010s/non-theatre]


Ensemble (Baritones)

Temporarily Lost” – The Bridges of Madison County

Seeing You” – Groundhog Day

The Wheel” – Tuck Everlasting


Ensemble (Basses)

Everything About You” – Groundhog Day

Forgetting” – David Gray [2010s/non-theatre]

Sleeping” – Once


Ensemble (Contras)

Flowers” – Hadestown

Manhattan” – Sara Bareilles [2010s/non-theatre]

Somebody Will” – Shucked


Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!


Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)

I’m Gone” – Hands on a Hardbody

Sister’s Pickle” – Amélie

Somewhere in the Dough” – The Great British Bake Off


Ensemble (Tenors)

Bright Star” – Bright Star

Disappear” – The Burnt Part Boys

Leave” – Once


Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Waitress:

• “Bridge Partners” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝

• “Fun House Mirror” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝

• “Lone Star Grace” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝

• “Mom, Dad and a Bad Idea (#1)” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝

• “Right Place, Right Time #2” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝


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!

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Waitress Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Waitress, 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:

“What’s Inside” – Jenna, Ensemble

“Opening Up” – Jenna, Becky, Dawn, Cal, Ensemble

“The Negative” – Becky, Dawn, Jenna

What Baking Can Do” – Jenna, Ensemble

“Club Knocked Up” – Ensemble

When He Sees Me” – Dawn, Company

“It Only Takes a Taste” – Dr. Pomatter, Jenna

You Will Still Be Mine” – Earl, Jenna

“A Soft Place to Land” – Jenna, Becky, Dawn

Never Ever Getting Rid of Me” – Ogie, Dawn, Company

“Bad Idea” – Jenna, Dr. Pomatter, Company


Act 2:

I Didn’t Plan It” – Becky

“Bad Idea (Reprise)” – Jenna, Dr. Pomatter, Becky, Cal, Dawn, Ogie, Company

“You Matter to Me” – Dr. Pomatter, Jenna

“I Love You Like a Table” – Ogie, Dawn, Company

“Take It From an Old Man/Gal” – Joe, Company

“Dear Baby” – Jenna

She Used to Be Mine” – Jenna

“Contraction Ballet” – Jenna, Company

“What’s Inside (Reprise)” – Company

Everything Changes” – Jenna, Becky, Dawn, Company

“Opening Up (Finale)” – Company


Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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Which of these audition songs for Waitress 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 ListShe holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

Photo of Stacy Karyn

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