Months before the night I was set to shamble onto Commercial Street as a zombie for Thriller on C-Street, the reality of learning the iconic “Thriller” dance hit me. Fresh from a stunningly realistic zombie makeup session by Associated Theatrical Contractors, I was driving home, still processing the transformation. At a stoplight, a little girl in the next minivan locked eyes with my undead visage. I offered a friendly smile, and her face crumpled into pure, unadulterated terror. It was then I knew – the makeup was working, and so was the allure of becoming a ‘Thriller’ zombie.
But let’s rewind. My journey into the world of Thriller Dancing began with Dance With Me at the Savoy Ballroom. While I had a history with dance – even performing “Thriller” in high school – that was a distant memory. My current dance repertoire was limited to solo kitchen dance parties. The truth is, dancing is my happy place. Any kind, any style – it’s stress relief, pure joy, and a great reminder not to take life too seriously. So, when the chance to dive into thriller dancing for Thriller on C-Street arose, I jumped in, ready to document the experience.
My first thriller dance class introduced me to Anne Walls, the co-owner of Dance With Me. She embodied every dance teacher I’d ever had – vibrant, knowledgeable, and clearly in charge. Her husband and co-owner, Andrew, was the class DJ, a calm and collected presence alongside Anne’s energy. The class itself was a wonderful mix of ages, personalities, and body types. Immediately, I felt comfortable. Everyone was welcoming and supportive, especially crucial as I was clearly the newbie. These weren’t just casual movers; these were dedicated thriller dancing enthusiasts. Being the only first-timer in a large group spoke volumes – learning thriller dancing is like riding a bike. You might need a refresher, but the core movements stay with you, ready to be unleashed each Halloween season.
The “Thriller” dance performed on C-Street isn’t a carbon copy of Michael Jackson’s music video choreography. It’s Anne and Andrew’s unique interpretation. So, YouTube tutorials alone won’t cut it. You need to learn their specific routines, including the dramatic zombie entrance and exit strategies for Commercial Street itself. The final class was a crucial street rehearsal. Nerves about getting lost in the zombie horde or missing cues made this practice essential. Imagine coordinating over 150 zombies for an audience of 4,000+ spectators – it’s a major undertaking! Witnessing the scale, I was incredibly grateful for this organized chaos.
Anne scheduled my zombie makeup for 9 a.m. on performance day. With the show hours away, I’d be sporting full zombie glam all day. The makeup process was intense and transformative. Moving between stations, I received gruesome open wounds, a pallid grey spray across exposed skin, and even a dedicated hair stylist. I envisioned my zombie as a punk rocker from London. Instantly, she crafted a suitably grungy, edgy ponytail, complete with strategically placed dirt. These makeup artists were true professionals, collaborating to bring individual zombie characters to life.
As dusk settled, the zombie ensemble gathered on Commercial Street, ready for our undead debut. The creativity was astounding – doctor zombies, baseball player zombies, cheerleader zombies, and a strong steampunk zombie contingent. A palpable sense of community buzzed amongst us “undead,” a mix of nervous excitement and anticipation. The evening began with the Dr. Deadalous Traveling Zombie Show, a spectacular pre-show featuring steampunk circus performers and bizarre characters. This audition-based performance, led by Steve Fritz, is a must-see in itself, setting the stage perfectly for the thriller dancing to come.
Then, it was our time. We unleashed moans and growls upon the audience, parading onto the street in full zombie swagger. We took our positions – lying “dead” in the middle of Commercial Street. The cold concrete pressed against my body, a strangely realistic sensation, amplifying the frantic beat of my heart. As the iconic music began, we waited for our cue, rising from the “dead” in unison. The “Thriller” mashup erupted, and we poured every ounce of energy into the thriller dancing. Cameras flashed relentlessly as I scanned the crowd, gauging their reactions. They were captivated. Holding back a grin was a challenge; I was truly channeling my inner Michael Jackson on C-Street. Despite looking frightfully deceased, performing thriller dancing made me feel incredibly alive.
