Ethan Slater Says His ‘Wicked’ Journey Changed His Life in ‘a Huge Way’ (Exclusive)

Ethan Slater is reflecting on his Wicked journey thus far.

While attending San Diego Comic-Con on Wednesday, July 23, for the reveal of new LEGO® Wicked sets, the 33-year-old actor shared with PEOPLE that it’s difficult to truly sum up how starring in the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical and book series has impacted him personally and professionally.

“It’s a hard question to think about how it’s impacted my career, because it’s all sort of like ongoing, one foot in front of the other,” Slater tells PEOPLE, alluding to the fact his experience isn’t over just yet as he’s reprising his role of the munchkin Boq in Wicked: For Good.

“It’s been a big part of making those childhood dreams come true,” Slater says of being a part of the Wicked franchise. “I saw Wicked on Broadway with my, I think, fifth-grade class. We went on a school trip before the Tonys. It just opened, and we went, and I saw it, and that was one of the first shows that I saw.”

“And then I brought my niece to see it for her ninth birthday,” Slater continues. “I got to see it again with new eyes, and see what it must have felt like for me to see that. And so it’s been such a huge part of me to now be a part of it, to be a part of Wicked, that’s changed my life in a huge way.”

As part of Comic-Con’s “San Diego LEGO®-Con,” a tribute to all things fandom and Comic-Con, the LEGO Group and Universal Products & Experiences unveiled six new LEGO Wicked sets inspired by Universal Pictures’ upcoming film.

Slater shared how growing up, his family had “a giant, unmarked plastic bin” that was filled with the iconic multi-colored LEGO bricks, which he loved as a kid and appreciates even more so as an adult, as he feels that helped him tap into “unlimited imagination.”

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The Tony nominee revealed a few of his favorites from the new Wicked sets, including a LEGO version of Glinda inside her iconic bubble, as well as his own character, Boq, receiving the LEGO treatment.

Asked how it feels to see himself as a LEGO piece, Slater says, “It’s amazing. I mean it’s a really big deal.”

“It was so influential for me growing up to have these little moments, and it helped me explore my creativity and feel connected to other people and feel connected to stories,” Slater says. “Being obsessed with stories and creating my own helped me learn empathy, which is really important. To be a part of that for other people is really special, and I’m really grateful.”