What’s An Audition Book And Why Do All Actors Need One?

A musical theatre audition book is an actor’s lifeline.

Ask any professional actor and they’ll tell you their audition book is what helps them get the job.

An audition book is simply a three ring binder filled with music you can sing at any given moment.

So what exactly should your audition book include?

1. Contemporary Musical Theatre – musical theatre songs written in the last 30-40 years. This includes music from shows like Oklahoma, Sound of Music, Music Man, Carousel, My Fair Lady, Fiorello!, Fiddler on the Roof, etc.

2. Traditional Musical Theatre – musical theatre songs written between the 1940s to the 1960s. This includes music written by composers such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Schwartz, Ahrens & Flaherty, Jeanine Tesori, Pasek & Paul, etc.

3. Pop / Rock – songs from any genre of music (not from a musical) made popular off the radio. This includes songs from genres like Country, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B, Folk, Alternative, Punk, Pop, Rock n’ Roll, etc!

We recommend actors compile their music in their audition book by using sheet protectors. This will allow your accompanist to easily flip through the pages of your audition song. We also suggest organizing your songs with dividers by genre.

Whether you’re asked to sing something from the show you’re auditioning for or choose an audition song of your own, it’s always important to bring your audition book with you.

Don’t believe us?

Tune in to episode 2 of the Collectively Seeking Broadway Podcast to hear host Maggie Bera and TBC Education Manager Chadae Nichol chat about how their audition books got them the job!