CMU Alumnus Stephen Schwartz Receives Oscar Nomination for 'Wicked' Score
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Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama(opens in new window) alumnus Stephen Schwartz has earned his ninth Academy Award nomination, this time for the original score of the box office smash “Wicked,” based on the musical written by Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. Schwartz shares the nomination with John Powell, with whom he composed the score for the film.
Schwartz graduated from the School of Drama in 1968 and received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from CMU in 2015. His distinguished career, composing for film and stage, has garnered three Academy Awards, four Grammys, four Drama Desk Awards, the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, and many more. Through it all, Schwartz has continued to be a champion and mentor for students and alumni of the School of Drama. He has often returned to lead master classes in music theater and auditioning, and in 2013, 2018 and 2023, he was the featured composer for the school’s annual cabaret.
“Wicked” has not only been a box office success on the big screen. In its more than 21 years on Broadway, it has grossed $1.7 billion and played to nearly 15 million audience members, according to BroadwayWorld. Many alumni from the School of Drama have been part of “Wicked” on Broadway and in touring productions over the years, and it continues to have strong Tartan ties.
“Wicked” racked up a total of 10 nominations, including Best Picture; the only film to receive more nominations is “Emilia Pérez” with a total of 13. It was also recognized for the performances of Cynthia Erivo (Actress in a Leading Role) and Ariana Grande (Actress in a Supporting Role), costume design by Paul Tazewell (former faculty in the School of Drama’s costume design program), production design, film editing, sound, visual effects, and makeup and hairstyling.
The 97th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The show will be broadcast on ABC, and for the first time, it will also be available to stream live on Hulu.
