Dondraico Johnson brings the moves to 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires'

These days, Dondraico “Draico” Johnson trusts in the process.

The choreographer’s latest project is musical film “Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires,” which is airing on Disney and Disney+.

“I’ve been dancing my adult life,” he says. “I’ve given myself Bell’s palsy due to stress twice in my life. Instead of letting the stress get to me, I use it to manifest in bringing out the best I can from a cast.”

“Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires” picks up the story of Zed, played by Milo Manheim and Addison, played by Meg Donnelly.

In the first three films, Zed and Addison brought human and monsterkind together in their hometown of Seabrook.

According to Disney, in the fourth chapter, the duo’s summer road trip takes an unexpected detour, landing them in the middle of yet another monster rivalry: Daywalkers vs. Vampires.

Zed and Addison find themselves acting as camp counselors between the two opposing supernatural factions and tensions flare.

With the help of Eliza, played by Kylee Russell and Willa, played by Chandler Kinney, they must convince sworn enemies Nova, played by Freya Skye and Victor, played by Malachi Barton, to try to unite their warring worlds before an even greater threat endangers them all.

The film also stars Julian Lerner, Swayam Bhatia, Mekonnen Knife, Lisa Chappell and Jonno Roberts.

Johnson says stepping into the project, he knew his work was cut out for him.

“The cast is phenomenal,” he says. “Each one of them is super talented. The most difficult part was to create choreography that remains relevant.”

Johnson says working with Skye was different because of the generational gap.

“I had to meet Freya at a common ground,” he explains. “I wanted to be able to push the envelope with them and bring something new to the world that we’re creating.”

Production took place in New Zealand and Johnson was surprised with the caliber of dancers in the area.

Each actor came in knowing it was part of their job to learn the choreography.

“Once I got there, we rehearsed for three weeks,” he says. “There were a lot of dance numbers. For many of the cast, it was their first time doing choreography. But with the finished product, the audience can’t know that it’s their first time. We worked hard and I give these kids credit because they learned the choreography and then they had to balance that with all their lines. It’s incredible how it all comes together.”

Johnson was overwhelmed that each cast member put trust in him.

“They were ready to push the envelope,” he says. “We told stories through the movement. I process the scene and the dialog and the music for it all to make sense for the movie.”

Johnson’s career in film and TV continues to bring steady work. He’s also danced with performers like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child and Madonna.

His film work included an Emmy nomination for the film “Genius: Aretha,” and work on “Ghostbusters (2016),” “The Conjuring 2,” “Haunted Mansion,” “Zombies 3,” “Step Up: All In” and “Dirty Grandpa.”

Johnson recalls being on set in New Mexico for Netflix’s “The Ridiculous 6” and hopes to come back to the state.

“New Mexico is somewhere I’d like to spend more time in,” he says. “It made an impact on me.”

He says he found dance while he was in college in Atlanta.

“I grew up in South Carolina playing football and baseball,” he says. “I didn’t know a career like this actually existed. I auditioned for a role in college and that caused my life to do a 360. With ‘Zombies 4,’ I was able to bring dance to a project where it encompasses dancing and singing. Because we filmed it over a year ago, it was important for all of the choreography to always be full of energy.”

Dondraico Johnson brings the moves to 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires'