Which songs actually build a young musical theatre voice — and which ones expose it. Mary Saunders-Barton walks her developmental repertoire list for women and men.

Choosing repertoire is where teachers make or break a young musical theatre singer. Mary Saunders-Barton takes you through her developmental song list — not audition showpieces, but material that builds proficiency in order. For women: starting on an oo vowel, organizing a breathy middle voice, soprano mixing, the first passaggio, then speech mix and belt as a color rather than a default. For men: growing range patiently, golden age legit singing, and working above the second passaggio toward an open call on G. She then turns to auditions — what to sing, what never to sing, why obscure material backfires, and why the actor must lead the singer. Closes with a frank teacher Q&A.