BTEC Dance Thriller

This comprehensive teaching resource is designed to support the delivery of BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts (Dance pathway), focusing on Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” performance as a professional work for study, analysis, and choreography. It provides students with a detailed, engaging, and accessible breakdown of the dance, exploring its artistic, cultural, and performance significance, while directly linking to BTEC assessment requirements.

The pack includes:

Contextual Information – Background on Michael Jackson as a performer, the influence of choreographers Michael Peters and John Landis, and the groundbreaking nature of the Thriller music video. This section highlights the historical, social, and stylistic relevance of the piece, supporting students in developing AO1 knowledge and understanding.

Choreographic Devices and Structure – Detailed exploration of key movement motifs, use of unison, canon, repetition, and formation changes. Students are guided to identify and analyse how these choreographic devices contribute to the impact of the performance.

Dance Style and Technique – Breakdown of the fusion of jazz, street, and theatrical dance styles present in Thriller. Technique focus includes clarity of movement, timing, musicality, and performance skills, giving students inspiration for both practical workshops and written tasks.

Production Elements – Analysis of costume, lighting, setting, and camera work, demonstrating how production enhances performance meaning and audience engagement.

Practical Application – Structured rehearsal tasks, motif development exercises, and choreography challenges inspired by Thriller. Students are encouraged to recreate key sections while experimenting with their own interpretations, developing creativity, confidence, and evaluative skills.

Assessment Support – Direct links to BTEC Tech Award Dance Component criteria, including guidance for written evaluation, self-reflection, and application of key terminology. Templates, sentence starters, and exemplar responses are included to help students secure higher marks in written assessments.

Extension & Enrichment – Suggestions for enrichment activities such as whole-class flashmob choreography, school performance projects, and cross-curricular links with Music, Drama, and Media.

This resource is fully adaptable for use across KS3 Dance, BTEC Tech Award Performing Arts (Dance), and as an enrichment project. It is designed to nurture students’ appreciation of professional dance works, while also equipping them with the tools to analyse, create, and perform with skill and confidence.

By the end of the unit, students will have a strong understanding of Thriller as a professional dance work, enhanced performance skills, and the ability to critically evaluate both their own practice and that of others.