55. TURN THRU Formation: Facing dancers
Each dancer walks forward to join right forearms with the facing dancer. They Turn by the Right (180°) release armholds and walk forward to their original position, ending back to back with the other dancer

Styling: Use normal forearm position. Men's free hand in natural dance position. Ladies' skirt work desirable for free hand.

Timing: 4 steps from point of contact.

Jim Penrod writes:
While the definition explains Turn Thru from facing couple, callers should not forget to teach and practice the dancers from an Ocean Wave. From Parallel Waves a Turn Thru will leave the dancers in a Trade By formation. From End to End Wave the dancers will be in Back to Back Lines.

Most, at least a lot, of dancers want to keep holding on to the ones they did the arm turn with. The caller must stress that the dancers will release arm holds and take a step forward.

Bob Bourassa writes:
When I teach Turn Thru: Cannot emphasis enough the step a head at the end of the turn. But be carefull don't build a road block that you may have to tear down later when you say "and walk forward to their original position" this maybe true from dancers facing but this is not so if the Turn Thru is done from a Ocean Waves.

Judy Obee writes:
The two clubs that I call to really have a problem with Turn Thru. In fact, in one club, every time I call it, one dancer calls out "Come on, you guys, get it right, or she'll call it again!!".

Because they are not totally comfortable with it, I only use two different bits of choreography.

The first: (to remind them of what a Turn Thru really is) Heads Turn Thru, Separate, Around 1 to make Lines (Corner Line)

This way, there is only half the square active, and the others are watching ("careful, she's gonna call it again!!"). The part that I want to focus on with that sequence is the 180 degree turn.

The second has two variations:
>From Zero Lines:
Pass Thru, Wheel and Deal, Centers Swing Thru and Turn Thru, LA
or
Pass Thru, Wheel and Deal, Centers Pass Thru, All Swing Thru and Turn Thru, LA

In both of these latter sequences, I make a serious point of saying:
"Swing Thru and Turn Thru AND LOOK FOR YOUR CORNER ALLEMAND LEFT" (This is usually followed by the above-mentioned dancer muttering about how much she hates the call!) (But she's getting better at it!) (Or someone asking me why the Turn Thru wasn't 180 degrees for him.)
I used to do the following snippet, when I was young and foolish (yesterday) before my mentor pointed out that the Turn Thru was technically inappropriate, and should be replaced by "turn your partner by the right" instead.

Allemand Left Alamo Style, Swing Thru, Swing Thru, Turn Thru, LA

Bob Bourassa writes:
>Hi Judy,
In all the above examples you have the dancers doing an LA after the Turn Thru. This is something I avoid in teaching the figure because the hardest part of Turn Thru is the (STEP FORWARD)at the end. In your presentatioin they are Stepping forward because you told them to LA. The step forward can be looked upon as a step ahead to get to your corner and not part of Turn Thru. The one example you gave Heads Turn Thru Seperate around one. I use first.
Then from:
1. 8 Chain Thru (normal couple set-up and Half Sashay) - result Trade by set-up
2. Lines facing - result Lines Facing out
3. After Swing Thru's
Parallel Waves - result Trade by
Tidal waves - result lines facing out
4. Lines facing rolled away Half Sashay - result = I use to old call Turn and Left Thru
5. Double Pass Thru - centers Turn Thru
6. 8 Chain Thru
Turn Thru and the centers Left Turn Thru result= Completed Pass Through
By now they are starting to realize that Turn Thru has a Step forward in the definition, it's time the follow it by LA.

William F Kellicker writes:
Turn Thru: After explaining and demonstrating and to dance some simple sequences.
Here is a basic idea.

Heads(S) Lead to the Right
Swing Thru
Turn Thru to the Corner....A/L

Heads Prom 1/2
Lead to the Right
Right and Left Thru
Swing Thru
Turn Thru
Find the Corner...A/L

Heads(S) Prom 1/2
Lead to the Right
Right and Left Thru
Dive Thru
Centers Swing Thru
Turn Thru
Find Your Corner...A/L

Heads(S) Prom 1/2
Lead to the Right
Right and Left Thru
Dive Thru
Centers Pass Thru
Swing Thru
Turn Thru
Find the Corner...A/L

Heads Square Thru
Swing Thru
Boys Run
Ferris Wheel
Centers Pass Thru
Star Thru
Pass Thru
Wheel & Deal
Centers Pass Thru
Swing Thru---Girls Circulate
Turn Thru
Find the corner...A/L