“Totally F*cked” from Spring Awakening

Audition song suggestions for the character Woof (tenor)

Neil “Woof” Donovan is a faithful and free-loving member of the group. His character has much freedom with gender, sexual identity, and expression revealed in his song, “Sodomy.” Woof is warm, open-minded, and expressly anti-war. He also burns his draft card during the Be-In.

“I Can Make You A Man” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

“Music of My Soul” from Memphis

Audition song suggestions for the character Hud (baritone)

Hud is another core member of the group and offers an essential perspective as a black man during this pivotal period of American history. Like his chosen family, the other members of the group, ideologies are strong but differ for powerful reasons due to his past. With his commanding presence and voice of reason, he commonly acts as a mediator of the group.

“You Can’t Win” from The Wiz

“Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud” by James Brown 

Audition song suggestions for the character Claude (tenor)

Claude is an ideological, artistic, and gentle soul who, unlike the rest of the group that we know of, still has ties to his family. His parents make cameos in the play, actively opposing his new lifestyle and demanding that he accept the draft. They represent an entire generation that rejects youth counter-culture and activism, and we see the family turmoil it causes Claude to feel that rejection directly. Like Berger and Sheila, he often takes Jeanie’s affections for granted. He’s got a lot on his mind.

“All That’s Known” from Spring Awakening

“I Ain’t Marching Anymore” by Phil Ochs

Audition song suggestions for the character Jeanie (alto)

Jeanie is the group member who brings our attention to the climate crisis with the song: “Air.” She is young, pregnant, and deeply comforting to others. Because of her child-like wisdom and honesty, she listens to Claude’s predicament without judgment despite seeing her peers’ sometimes erratic behaviors. While Claude’s feelings are not reciprocated, she still would prefer him to be the father of her child.

“My Junk” from Spring Awakening

“Universal Soldier” by Buffy Sainte-Marie

Audition song suggestions for the character Dionne (mezzo)

Dionne is a member of the group and a powerful black voice from the female perspective. In both “Aquarius” and “Walking in Space” Dionne takes on the role of muse and prophet, gently and stylishly ushering the audience and her chosen family into the vision of love and freedom that HAIR celebrates. This role has the opportunity for vocal freedom, which, like the human voice, can have a spiritual effect.

“A Change Is Gonna Come” as performed by Aretha Franklin

“Ain’t Nothing But a Kiss” from Memphis 

Audition song suggestions for the character Crissy (soprano)

Crissy is the youngest member of the group, and in her song “Frank Mills”, she is portrayed as naive and infatuated with someone she doesn’t really know and might not ever see again. Creativity and freedom in the role are high due to the limited background in the script, considering her history and how long she has been a member of the group. Her outwardly simple nature may be a security blanket for something more complex and mature, or maybe each song introduces her to a whole new world.

“Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens” from Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens

“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar

Audition song suggestions for the character Sheila (mezzo)

Sheila is an NYU graduate and activist. She can embrace her East Village community and keep abreast of the reality on the other side. Having just returned from a march in Washington, D.C. Representing what is historically known as the New Left, a large population of college students, educators, and activists who led the anti-war college campus protest movement. She is passionate and unyielding in matters of social justice and community, but her relationship with Berger lacks the same stability.

“21 Guns” from American Idiot

“Smash the Mirror” from The Who’s Tommy

Audition song suggestions for the character Margaret Meade (tenor)

The group aptly names this character after the real-life anthropologist and activist whose research encouraged them to accept different cultures. In the play, Margaret is a tourist passing through with her husband, who questions the group about their lifestyle and long hair. After the number “My Conviction,” Meade says to the audience, “I wish every mother and father in this theater would go home tonight and make a speech to their teenagers and say, ‘Kids — be free, no guilt. Be whoever you are, do whatever you want to do. Just as long as you don’t hurt anybody, right?” This actor is typically played by a male, transgender and/or non-binary actor.

“If You Were Gay” from Avenue Q

“All for the Best” from Godspell

Audition song suggestions for Ensemble Characters (all vocal types)

The rest of the East Village hippie community. These actors wear many hats to assist the storytelling, by playing parents, cops, high school teachers, and historical figures.

Soprano:

“We Shall Overcome” by Joan Baez

“Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell

Mezzo:

“You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want When You’re Making Love” from Avenue Q

“The Dark I Know Well” from Spring Awakening

Alto:

“By My Side” from Godspell 

“Mama Said” by The Shirelles

Tenor:

“Tear Me Down” from Hedwig and the Angry Inch

“Radio Ga Ga” by Queen

Baritone:

“When September Ends” from American Idiot

“The Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire