220 of the Best College Audition Songs from the Jazz Through the Golden Age of Musicals

Written by Tiffany Wilkie and Jackson Upperco

April 4, 2022

Friends, for the first time, a master list of classic audition songs for college-bound music theatre majors is here. All the selections below, chosen by a self-proclaimed expert Jackson Upperco, on the scores of these eras, are guaranteed to put you in the mind and flavor– of these iconic decades. With classic entries from the 1920s to the 1960s, these rousing (seldom sung) gems are waiting to be rediscovered. This EXCLUSIVE list is one to be bookmarked and studied!

Ladies: 25 Wow-Able Solos from Broadway’s Golden Age


Ladies, are you looking for a solo from Broadway’s Golden Age – the years in between Oklahoma! (1943) and Hair (1967) – that’ll be guaranteed to WOW? Well, put away those copies of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and “Adelaide’s Lament”; they’ve been done to death! These 25 character-laden numbers below are sure to leave a more lasting impression on your audience – and give you some meaty material with which to play!


Find The Master Song List Here

Guys: 25 Wow-Able Solos from Broadway’s Golden Age


Fellas, are you looking for a solo from Broadway’s Golden Age – the years in between Oklahoma! (1943) and Hair (1967) – that’ll be guaranteed to WOW? Well, put away those copies of “Luck Be A Lady” and “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’”; they’ve been done to death! These 25 character-laden numbers below are sure to leave a more lasting impression on your audience – whether you’re seeking laughter or tears!


Find The Master Song List Here

Ladies: 25 MORE Wow-Able Solos From Broadway’s Golden Age


Ladies, are you looking for a non-overdone solo from Broadway’s Golden Age – the years in between Oklahoma! (1943) and Hair (1967) – that’ll be guaranteed to WOW? Well, put away those copies of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and “Adelaide’s Lament.” They’ve been done to death! These 25 character-laden numbers below are sure to leave a more lasting impression on your audience – and give you some meaty material with which to play!


Find The Master Song List Here

Guys: 25 MORE Wow-Able Solos From Broadway’s Golden Age


Guys, are you looking for a non-overdone solo from Broadway’s Golden Age – the years in between Oklahoma! (1943) and Hair (1967) – that’ll be guaranteed to WOW? Well, put away those copies of “Luck Be A Lady” and “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’”; they’ve been done to death! These 25 character-laden numbers below are sure to leave a more lasting impression on your audience – and give you some meaty material with which to play!


Find The Master Song List Here

Genuinely Roaring Twenties: 22 Female Solo Ideas From The Jazz Age


So you’re auditioning for the role of Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002)Velma in Chicago (1975)? The Drowsy Chaperone herself in The Drowsy Chaperone (2006)? Well, put some authentic Roaring ‘20s in your repertoire – starting with this collection of solo suggestions for audition and study from Musical Theatre’s Jazz Age.


Find The Master Song List Here

Genuinely Roaring Twenties: 22 Male Solo Ideas From The Jazz Age


So you’re auditioning for the role of Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002)Billy in Chicago (1975)? Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone (2006)? Well, put some authentic Roaring ‘20s in your repertoire – starting with this collection of solo suggestions for audition and study from Musical Theatre’s Jazz Age.


Find The Master Song List Here

The Truly Turbulent Thirties: 22 Female Solo Ideas From The Great Depression


So you’re auditioning for the role of Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (1934)Miss Hannigan in Annie (1977)? Dorothy Brock in the stage adaptation of the 1933 film 42nd Street (1980)? Then you need some authentic and not overdone material from the ‘30s in your repertoire – starting with this collection of Musical Theatre solo suggestions for audition and study from the Great Depression.


Find The Master Song List Here

The Truly Turbulent Thirties: 22 Male Solo Ideas From The Great Depression


So you’re auditioning for the role of Billy Crocker in Anything Goes (1934)? Rooster in Annie (1977)? Julian Marsh in the stage adaptation of the 1933 film 42nd Street (1980)? Then you need some authentic and not overdone material (no “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” here) from the ‘30s in your repertoire – starting with this collection of Musical Theatre solo suggestions for audition and study from the Great Depression.


Find The Master Song List Here

The Flyin’ Fightin’ Forties: 16 Female Solo Ideas From The WWII Era


So you’re auditioning for the role of Ado Annie in Oklahoma! (1943)? Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (1949)? Margie Frake in a production of the 1996 stage adaptation of the 1945 film State Fair? Then you need some authentic and not overdone material from the early ‘40s in your repertoire – starting with this collection of Musical Theatre solo suggestions for audition and study . from the first six years of the flyin’, fightin’ decade (before and during America’s participation in the Second World War).


Find The Master Song List Here

The Flyin’ Fightin’ Forties: 16 Male Solo Ideas From The WWII Era


So, you’re auditioning for the role of Lt. Cable in South Pacific (1949)? Curly in the turn-of- the-century set, but very ‘40s, Oklahoma! (1943)? Pat Gilbert in a production of the 1996 stage adaptation of the 1945 film State Fair? Then you need some authentic and not overdone material from the early ‘40s in your repertoire – starting with this collection of Musical Theatre solo suggestions for audition and study from the first six years of the flyin’, fightin’ decade (before and during America’s participation in the Second World War).


Find The Master Song List Here



Tiffany Weagly-Wilkie is the Director of Theatricals for PerformerStuff.com. She also serves as the Casting Director for The Imagination House.
Jackson Upperco is a lover of retro television, forgotten Broadway musicals, and Pre-Code Hollywood. He boasts a Bachelors Degree in Film and Television from Boston University. You can keep up with all of his entertainment interests at jacksonupperco.com.