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.


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 [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

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 [2010s/non-theatre]


Ensemble (Baritones)

Disappear” – The Burnt Part Boys

It All Fades Away” – The Bridges of Madison County

Make It Without You” – Andrew Belle [2010s/non-theatre]


Ensemble (Basses)

Everything About You” – Groundhog Day

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

Sleeping” – Once


Ensemble (Contras)

Come Back” – Dogfight

Manhattan” – Sara Bareilles [2010s/non-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: A Musical Exhibition

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!

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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


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!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.


Stacy Karyn, author of Audition Songs for Waitress.
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.


 

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