The Royal Academy of Dance has released a special new podcast episode featuring Christopher Scott, the choreographer behind the blockbuster film adaptations Wicked and Wicked: For Good.
In the episode, Scott goes behind the scenes of choreographing the much-anticipated films, which are based on the original Wicked West End and Broadway stage productions. The two-part cinematic event has proved both a critical and commercial success, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, alongside Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum.
Wicked: For Good is available to stream in the UK on platforms including Amazon Prime, further extending the global reach of the beloved musical.
Speaking on the Royal Academy of Dance’s Why Dance Matters podcast, Scott reflects on the challenge of translating the scale and theatricality of Wicked for the screen while creating movement that feels cinematic. His choreography brings the land of Oz to stomping, whirling life, continuing his close collaboration with director Jon M Chu, following their work together on In the Heights and The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers.
A passionate advocate for dance as a storytelling tool, Scott traces his journey from graduating at the Hollywood High Performing Arts Magnet Program to launching his career on the Step Up film series. He later became associate producer and choreographer of The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers and served as a resident choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance from 2010 to 2016 — the internationally successful dance competition hosted by Cat Deeley, now a familiar face to UK audiences through ITV’s This Morning — earning three Emmy nominations.
The podcast also explores Scott’s experiences working with performers such as Erivo and Grande, as well as his views on the lack of a dedicated Academy Award for choreography. For Scott, dance is not just spectacle but a vital narrative language.
Reflecting on his creative purpose, he says: “My mom’s an activist, my sister’s an activist. So I grew up in this space of: we should be doing something that leaves this earth better than the way we found it. And this is how I’m spending my life, telling stories through dance.”
This year marks a major moment for Wicked on stage. In September 2026, the musical will celebrate 20 years in the West End, having first opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 27 September 2006. The production has enjoyed an extraordinary run, welcoming its 13 millionth audience member last year and becoming the ninth longest-running show in West End history. The current cast includes Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins) as Glinda and Emma Kingston (Heathers The Musical) as Elphaba.
Meanwhile, Erivo continues to balance her screen success with major stage work. She is currently in rehearsals for Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the Noel Coward Theatre, with rehearsal images released today offering a first look at the West End production. Despite receiving a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, Erivo is not expected to attend the 83rd Golden Globe Awards this Sunday as she is deep in rehearsal for Dracula.
The Why Dance Matters podcast episode featuring Christopher Scott is available now across all major podcast platforms.
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