The Best Audition Songs for Waitress – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Waitress? 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 Waitress, broken down by character.
Since Waitress is a contemporary musical, most of the songs below are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, there is a folksy/country vibe to many of them in order to match the style of the show. You’ll also find a few non-musical theatre pop songs below just in case you’ve been asked to prepare one for your audition.
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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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “Waitress Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 listen to the Waitress cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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 [non-musical theatre]
“Burden Down” – Jennifer Hudson [non-musical 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 [non-musical theatre]
“Pretty Funny” – Dogfight
Dr. Jim Pomatter
“As Good As I Get” – Next Thing You Know
“Human” – Jon McLaughlin [non-musical 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 [non-musical 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 [non-musical theatre]
“Near to You” – A Fine Frenzy [non-musical theatre]
“On My Way” – Violet
“See I’m Smiling” – The Last Five Years
Joe
“Be the Hero” – Big Fish
“Something From a Dream” – The Bridges of Madison County
“Temporarily Lost” – The Bridges of Madison County
“Welcome to the World” – A Man of No Importance
“Who I’d Be” – Shrek
“Wonderful” – Wicked
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 [non-musical theatre]
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Disappear” – The Burnt Part Boys
“It All Fades Away” – The Bridges of Madison County
“Make It Without You” – Andrew Belle [non-musical theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“Everything About You” – Groundhog Day
“Forgetting” – David Gray [non-musical theatre]
“Sleeping” – Once
Ensemble (Contras)
“Come Back” – Dogfight
“Manhattan” – Sara Bareilles [non-musical theatre]
“When I Go” – We Aren’t Kids Anymore
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Sister’s Pickle” – Amélie
“Times Are Hard for Dreamers” – Amélie
“Way Back in the Day” – Bright Star
Ensemble (Tenors)
“And I Breathe” – Next Thing You Know
“Caralee” – 35mm
“The Wheel” – Tuck Everlasting
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: 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!
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
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.
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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.