From the best of Broadway to Disney ditties, the greatest audition songs for young female and female-presenting performers will not only showcase their voice, but also allow them to tell a story. We’ve rounded up some top options to help you and your kid choose a knockout song for their next audition.
A good audition song for young actors should reflect their age and experience, fit the role they’re trying out for, tell a story, and allow their voice to shine.
It’s youthful. The song shouldn’t be too adult—it doesn’t really make sense for a young’un to be belting about marriage or the corporate world.
It fits the role. A strong audition song lets the casting director imagine that the performer was made for the part. Young Cosette’s “Castle on a Cloud” in “Les Misérables” might be a great choice if auditioning for a down-and-out dreamer, but not so much if the role is for a spoiled brat à la Veruca Salt.
It tells a story. The song should have an identifiable narrative arc, inviting listeners on an emotional journey.
It lets them show off their pipes. The song should match the child’s voice type and vocal range so that they can demonstrate their specific breadth of talent.
“Born to Entertain” from “Ruthless!” (uptempo)
Sung from the perspective of a (fittingly) ruthless child who will stop at nothing to achieve fame, this song lets performers show off their stage presence as well as their comedic chops.
“Good Girl Winnie Foster” from “Tuck Everlasting” (uptempo)
A sense of adventure and longing imbue this energetic number, particularly the line, “I wanna raise a little something more than heaven!”
“Home” from “Wonderland” (ballad)
Poignant, introspective lyrics explore the idea of belonging, allowing preteens to demonstrate a wide range of character work and lyric interpretation.
“I Always Knew” from “Annie Warbucks” (uptempo)
The confident, determined orphan Annie comes into her own in this exhilarating number.
“I Want It Now!” from “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (uptempo)
Going for a comedic role? This crowd-pleaser, sung by the hilariously bratty Veruca Salt, is sure to tickle some funny bones.
“If Only You Would Listen” from “School of Rock—The Musical” (ballad)
Young actors can use this emotive ballad to demonstrate their dramatic range.
“Quiet” from “Matilda the Musical” (ballad)
The feeling of being “just a bit different” from other kids lets singers highlight their ability to be vulnerable onstage.
“Sing Your Own Song” from “Dear Edwina” (ballad)
Tweens are sure to relate to Edwina’s desire to be seen and heard with this show-within-a-show number.
“Six Hours as a Princess” from “Children’s Letters to God” (ballad)
Performers can use this song as an opportunity to tap into the whimsical imagination and sense of fantasy so emblematic of childhood.
“The Girl I Mean to Be” from “The Secret Garden” (ballad)
Showcase the intersection of youth’s precociousness and the protagonist’s wise “old soul” with this classic ballad.
“What It Means to Be a Friend” from “13: The Musical” (uptempo)
Demonstrate comedic timing by tapping into the awkward, dramatic, and occasionally shallow mindset of adolescents navigating peer dynamics.
“Writing Down the Story of My Life” from “Junie B. Jones” (ballad)
This clever, quirky song is an excellent choice for younger performers who can perform with authenticity and spunk.
“I’d Rather Be Me” from “Mean Girls” (uptempo)
While the hilarious musical depicts a slightly older crowd, this song’s message of forging one’s own path makes it a powerful choice for performers of any age who want to demonstrate a range of emotions, from angst and anger to stubbornness and strength.
“This Wish” from “Wish” (ballad)
Show courage and determination with this empowering song of hope.
