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!
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!
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 List. She holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
