KENT—“Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorize your neighborhood …”
These lyrics from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” have echoed through the streets of Kent for more than a decade, thanks to performances by South Kent School’s Thriller Group, which will bring its Thriller Flash Mob to Falcon Field on North Main Street, Halloween Eve at 7 p.m.
Founded more than 10 years ago by South Kent student Jack (Chao) Huang, Class of 2013, a talented dancer with the Explore Affinity Group, the Thriller Entertainment Group has become an established tradition for both South Kent School and the Kent community.
The group first captured audiences on Oct. 18, 2013, during South Kent’s Fall Family Weekend, delivering a spirited performance that brought the iconic dance to life.
The performance was so well received that they were invited to showcase their talent again at the school’s annual Haunted House event on Oct. 29. However, the real highlight came on Halloween night, Oct. 31, when they took over Main Street in Kent.
Despite the rain, crowds gathered as South Kent students, under the direction of coordinator and instructor Wanessa Anderson, took to the stage.
Their performance left the audience of around 500 people spellbound, as reported by the Republican-American newspaper. The choreography shifted from eerie, zombie-like movements to polished, synchronized dancing.
After their stellar Halloween performance in downtown Kent, the Thriller Entertainment Group kept the excitement going with another show on the field next to Kent’s Heron Gallery.
With months of hard work and support from the South Kent School art department, led by chair and affinity group coordinator Anderson, the students delivered yet another unforgettable performance.
Reflecting on the group’s journey, Anderson praised the boys for their dedication and bravery.
“None of them had ever performed or danced in front of hundreds of people,” she said. “Dance can feel a little taboo for teenage boys, but they stuck with it and were thrilled with the experience once it was over.”
Cheryl Moore, South Kent’s art department chair and Affinity Group coordinator, said the boys selected their roles in September and practiced for two months leading up to their 2013 debut.
“Many of them had never performed, let alone danced in front of such a large audience. It wasn’t always easy, but they were pleasantly surprised by the cheers and applause. They hadn’t realized just how rewarding it would be.”
As the South Kent boys continue to practice, one thing is clear: the Thriller Entertainment Group will remain a Halloween favorite, delighting audiences for many years to come.
