Thriller: A New English Country Dance

Choreographed by me for the event Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Ball, which I held on December 16, 2025. 

If you want to use my introduction and/or choreography, contact me beforehand to tell me about it and then give me credit. :) 

Song: "Thriller" by Michael Jackson

Sheet Music: Bojana Jovanovic "Thriller" Sheet Music in D Minor - Download & Print - SKU: MN0264209

How I introduced this dance at my ball

This is our dance for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Just kidding. This is our dance for Northanger Abbey, because the novel is a parody of gothic fiction.

Thriller

Longways proper
Triple minor
Chassé and chassé setting steps

Introduction

• 24 beats: Honor your partner.
• Gentlemen bow and Ladies curtsy.

Verse

• 16 beats: The top couple lead through second and third couple.

• First couple lead between the second couple, between the second and third Gentlemen, between the third couple, between the second and third Ladies, back to places.

• 16 beats: Retreat and advance.

• All take hands, retreat, set, advance to middle, and fall back to places.

• 16 beats: Swing round your partner.

• First couple take right hands and turn clockwise to places, then take left hands and turn counterclockwise to places.

• 16 beats: Hands six round.

• All take hands and circle clockwise to places.

Chorus

•     16 beats: Hands three on the Ladies’ side and pass under.

• FIG. I. First couple and second Lady circle round so the 1s switch places, then first couple hold hands up and second Lady passes under back to her place.

• FIG. II. First couple and second Gentleman circle round so the 1s switch back to their places, then first couple hold hands up and second Gentleman passes under back to his place.

• 8 beats: First couple slip down the middle and return to second place (second couple move up).

• 16 beats: Hands three on the Ladies’ side and pass under.

• FIG. I. First couple and third Lady circle round so the 1s switch places, then first couple hold hands up and third lady passes under back to her place.

• FIG. II. First couple and third Gentleman circle round so the 1s switch back to their places, then first couple hold hands up and third Gentleman passes under back to his place.

Repeat whole dance (verse and chorus) from progressed position.

Notes: This is an advanced dance, because it is a triple minor. Please announce this to your guests so they can decide if they want to attempt this one or not. You will need an ASCAP license to use the song at your event if it qualifies as a public performance (check with ASCAP) and your venue doesn't have a blanket license (check with your venue).