Irmo Native Will Loftis Takes Center Stage as Assistant Choreographer in Universal’s Blockbuster “Wicked”

Irmo Native Shines Bright in Universal’s Latest Hit “Wicked”

It’s a magical time for movie lovers, especially here in Irmo! The musical film Wicked, which offers a fresh twist on the classic Wizard of Oz stories, premiered on November 22, 2024, and has taken the box office by storm, exceeding all expectations. But what makes this news even more special for our town is that one of our very own, Will Loftis, played a significant role behind the scenes as an assistant choreographer.

The Man Behind the Dance

Loftis, an Irmo native who honed his craft at the local dance studio Southern Strutt, has been making waves in the entertainment world, and his latest work on Wicked might just be his biggest achievement yet. “I always knew he had a special gift since he was young,” shared Leah Evans, an instructor at Southern Strutt. “His success is so deserving.”

On the film, Loftis was responsible for teaching the choreography created by Christopher Scott, ensuring that everything flowed seamlessly when the cameras rolled. With a fab cast that includes Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and others, Loftis has definitely been in great company!

Sharing the Magic on Social Media

As if being part of a blockbuster wasn’t enough, Loftis has taken to social media to share his journey with all 54,000 of his Instagram followers. He posted some behind-the-scenes glimpses, including a rehearsal of the catchy number “What is This Feeling?” featuring Ariana Grande and comedian Bowen Yang. Grand even took a moment to comment on Loftis’ post, saying, “i love you more than words can say.” Now, how’s that for Hollywood star power?

The collaboration with Grande didn’t stop there. Loftis was also tapped to choreograph her exciting music video for the single “yes, and?” from her album Eternal Sunshine. According to Rolling Stone, Loftis took inspiration from the legendary Bob Fosse and some classic Madonna music videos for the choreography, saying it was like a “love letter to jazz and to every dance teacher I’ve ever had.”

A Groundbreaking Year

While Loftis has found stardom over the past year, he’s been in the game for quite some time. His impressive resume includes working on projects like the rom-com No Strings Attached at just 19 years old, as well as being involved with Glee and So You Think You Can Dance?. Talk about credentials! He even served as a backup dancer for Taylor Swift during her performance of “Shake it Off.” Loftis surely has a talent that shines brighter than ever!

Rooted in Home

Despite soaring into the Hollywood spotlight, Loftis remains connected to his roots in Irmo. He regularly comes back to Southern Strutt to teach and choreograph for young dancers. Evans shared, “The younger dancers are just in awe and think it’s the coolest thing ever.” To celebrate Loftis’ big debut, about 30 of his teachers, friends, and family members gathered to watch Wicked on opening night, and their excitement was palpable. When they spotted Loftis on the big screen, they couldn’t help but cheer, cry, and sing along!

This momentous occasion has turned into a heartfelt memory, as Evans exclaimed, “This is now my all-time favorite movie!” With Loftis’ incredible journey unfolding right before our eyes, who knows what enchanting adventures lie ahead for our hometown hero?

It seems that Loftis’ story isn’t just a tale of hard work and talent; it’s proof that dreams can come true – especially right here at home. Keep your eyes on this rising star, Irmo! The magic of Broadway has certainly come alive in our town.