For theater people, the pandemic has felt like an even longer eternity than for the rest of the world. Sure, Zoom productions of movie scripts are nice, but they don’t beat the thrill of sweltering stage lights and a darkened theater. And now that theaters are tentatively making plans for future seasons, the young thespians in your life are probably chomping at the bit to prepare their audition materials.
But it’s not always easy to choose an audition piece as a child actor. Songs from Annie and Oliver can be clichéd and Disney songs overdone. But there is a whole host of underappreciated material out there for younger performers. The trick is to find the best musical audition songs for kids.
“My New Philosophy”- You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown captures the essence of childhood using Charles Shultz’s beloved Sunday comic characters, making it a perfect audition song for kids. In this song, Charlie Brown’s younger sister, Sally, humorously tries out different life mottos to cope with a failed grade on a homework assignment. It’s the perfect choice if your child is going for a character role.
“Little People”- Les Misérables
The character Gavroche from Les Misérables is sort of like the French equivalent of Oliver’s Artful Dodger. In this song, he declares before a crowd of revolutionaries the might of “little people” and why it’s a mistake to underestimate them. It’s another song that’s all personality and often lends itself well to showing off an accent if the role requires it.
“Quiet”- Matilda the Musical
The 2010 musical smash hit Matilda is loaded with great songs for kids like “Naughty” and “When I Grow Up.” But the song “Quiet” is a great opportunity for young performers to try a more complex character piece. In this song, Matilda attempts to explain what it’s like inside her brain to the beat of some more complicated rhythms than the average kid’s song. Opt for this if your child’s not new to theater.
“Not While I’m Around”- Sweeny Todd
Sondheim’s Sweeny Todd is far from a kid’s story, and Toby, the character who sings this song, is an adult in the stage version. But the 2007 film version casts Toby as a child, making the song “Not While I’m Around” even more touching. Sung by Toby to Mrs. Lovett, whom he sees as a mother figure, this song is a surefire way for kids to practice sensitivity in performance and melt directors’ hearts.
Theater is on its way back. And whether you’re just starting to consider if your child should start voice lessons or they’ve been singing in the footlight for years, they’ll need audition songs. Helping your child navigate their song choice will help get them on stage quicker once the theaters officially open their doors.
