VOCALHATTAN JOURNAL
How to Prepare a Broadway Audition Song
Choose a song that suits your voice type and the role, prepare clean 16-bar and 32-bar cuts, and mark your sheet music clearly for the accompanist. The cut should show your best range and a clear character choice within its first few bars.
Last verified October 10, 2026
How do I choose the right audition song?
Match the style of the show and a role you could realistically play. Pick a song that sits in the strongest part of your range today, not the note you hit on a good day. Avoid songs closely tied to the show you are auditioning for unless the casting notice asks for them.
How long should a 16-bar or 32-bar cut be?
Treat the bar count as a guide to brevity. A cut should make musical sense on its own, with a clear start and ending, and usually lands around 30 seconds for 16 bars and about a minute for 32 bars, depending on tempo.
How should I prepare sheet music?
Use a clean copy in your key, in a binder with double-sided pages so they lie flat. Mark the start and end of the cut clearly, plus any tempo changes. Be ready to give the accompanist the tempo in a few seconds.
What should I practice in coaching?
Starting on the first note without a long setup, keeping technique steady under nerves, and making a specific acting choice. Practicing the cut under audition-style conditions, standing, from a cold start, builds confidence for the real room.
Where to go next
Explore professional singer audition prep, read more in the journal, or check the FAQ.