What to look for when selecting College Audition material

Selecting material for College Musical Theatre Auditions can feel like an overwhelming task. With so much pressure to stand out, high school juniors and their families often wonder: What makes a good audition piece? At BVC Aspire, we understand the importance of choosing the right material for college auditions. In this guide, we are going to break down some key elements to help you distinguish what makes an effective audition piece.

Does it have a beginning, middle, and end? 

When auditioning for college musical theatre programs, you will need to prepare Audition Cuts – a shortened version of songs and monologues that fit within the school’s time requirements. These cuts are typically 60 or 90 seconds long, often referred to as 16-bar or 32-bar cuts for songs. Along with showcasing your vocal and acting abilities, with limited time, each piece should tell a complete story, meaning it should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. 

Some songs and monologues may be great in full but are difficult to trim down effectively. That’s why having a coach or teacher to help select the right material and guide the cutting process can save you a lot of time and stress. 

At BVC Aspire, we make this process easier by providing personalized audition cuts of songs and monologues, complete with cleanly marked sheet music and backing tracks, so you can focus on the performance, and we can focus on the planning!

Does it showcase your strengths?  

When preparing for college musical theatre auditions, many young performers often think that their audition pieces have to show all of the extremes. The highest notes, the most complex vocal runs, or the most intense monologues. But what is more important is to see you showcasing what you do best. Songs that sit in the pocket of your voice. Monologues that show an understanding of the text and your instincts as an actor. And most importantly, across the board, pieces that show your potential as a performer. After all, you are going to school to learn! 

Choose songs that you feel good singing! While it may feel like you have to push to the top or bottom of your range, you do not want to showcase material that is hard for you to sing. Our thought process: 

• Choose songs that highlight your strengths
• Choose songs that you can sing at a moment's notice. 

There are many external factors to consider when it comes to college auditions. Travel, early mornings, new locations, cold winter weather, NERVES, and more! The last thing you will want to worry about is: “Am I going to be able to hit that note today?”  

Especially when selecting monologues, it’s important to note that your pieces don’t have to be filled with upsetting contexts or intense language in order to prove your acting abilities. While you want to demonstrate your range, showcasing your ability to connect emotionally and authentically with the piece is even more crucial. Instead of choosing a piece just because you find it to be extremely dramatic or shocking, focus on how YOU connect with the text. What resonates with you? What piece sparks your interest or ignites your passion and point of view on the world? When you approach your audition material from a place of authenticity, your natural instincts will shine through! And you'll have more fun as you perform them too! 🥳

And most importantly, choose pieces that you LOVE. You are going to spend a lot of time with these songs and monologues. And if they don’t bring you joy or if you feel like they don’t showcase you at your best, that will come through in your audition. Don’t hesitate to go back to the drawing board. 

That’s why at BVC Aspire, we start the material exploration process at the end of your Junior year. Students receive a personalized repertoire package of songs and monologues that not only showcase what they do best but also reflect their unique personalities and passions! 

Navigating the age-old question of “Is it too OVERDONE”?  

When it comes to audition pieces, it’s easy to feel like your choices are limited. After all, we can’t go back to 1955 and write more songs for the pre-1970s musical theatre canon! [But how cool would that be?! Mostly to have a sit down with the Gershwins or maybe Cole Porter!] So it’s inevitable that some of the greatest songs and monologues will be performed a lot in auditions. Thus, the question often arises: Should I avoid singing a song or doing a monologue just because it’s considered overdone?

The short answer is that it depends!

The truth is, a great audition piece is a great audition piece – and there’s a reason why certain songs and monologues get done so frequently! They are iconic, relatable, and highlight key emotions and technical skills. 

But here’s the key: just because a piece is frequently heard in auditions doesn’t mean it’s automatically off-limits. Why? It all depends on how YOU perform it. If you can truly knock it out of the park, connect to it, and love the piece, KEEP IT! However, if you find that you are performing an iconic piece and you are struggling with the technical elements or you are finding a way to make it your own, it’s okay to go back to the drawing board and explore something else! 

Your goal: pick material that allows you to perform at your best, whether it’s a widely heard classic or something less common. 

Ultimately, the key to finding audition material is in finding songs and monologues that YOU LOVE and that showcase what you do best, RIGHT NOW! 

Start the exploration process early and consider having a team to guide you as you sift through the sea of songs and stories. It can be an overwhelming task, but it can also be a whole lot of fun!  

How BVC Aspire Can Help

At Aspire, we’re dedicated to providing a comprehensive, all-inclusive approach to college audition prep. Our live coaching sessions, personalized repertoire selection, and one-on-one support mean that you never have to navigate this process alone.

From the moment you sign up until your child receives their acceptance—and beyond—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want expert advice tailored to your family’s needs, consider joining Aspire. Our unique support system has helped countless families turn audition stress into a confident, streamlined journey.

Ready to lighten your load and to have less stress during college audition season?

📢 Learn more about Aspire and book a free consultation today!

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. With the right team by your side, even the toughest process becomes manageable—and, dare we say, enjoyable.