The Roswell Dance Theatre, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation, was founded in 1985 by Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz and Mary Lynn Taylor. Originally created as the resident performing company of the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance, Roswell Dance Theatre successfully trains passionate and serious dancers through a combination of rigorous classes, guest artist master classes and continuous performance opportunities. The program excels however, because of a fourth element: camaraderie among the members. There is fun, warmth and energy in this community of very hard-working individuals.
In addition to professional productions on stages at various venues throughout the year, Roswell Dance Theatre members perform enthusiastically for various charitable organizations, schools, senior citizens and underprivileged children as part of the companies’ extensive outreach program.
Members of the Roswell Dance Theatre have been accepted into and received scholarships from the finest dance programs and performing arts schools in the nation. Among these are American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, Houston Ballet, Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Lines Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Interlochen Arts Academy, Marymount Manhattan College, Point Park College, SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, and many others.
The original performing company has grown over the years to 100+ members and has evolved to include three companies: Ballet, PreProfessional and Movement Collective. Dancers who exhibit high levels of proficiency in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical and modern dance audition annually for selection and placement within the companies.
Roswell Dance Theatre Founders
Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz & Mary Lynn Taylor
No matter the weather, dancing is always in season!
RDT kicks off its annual season with a 4-week boot camp, held throughout the month of August. Participation in boot camp serves to reconnect dancers and instructors who have been apart for the summer months. Dancers “warm up” into the new dance season, while instructors and directors review company placements and assign roles for the company’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker. Once the cast list is established, dancers learn the choreography for their Nutcracker roles and look forward to many weeks ahead to rehearse and perfect their performance.
Along with Open School students, Company dancers begin their regular class schedule the day after Labor Day.
See the Ballet Company, PrePro Company and Movement Collective pages for detailed information about membership and schedules for these companies.
Learn more about being a member of the Roswell Dance Theatre.
Membership has its perks…find out more about joining Roswell Dance Theatre.
Regional Dance America/Southeast
Roswell Dance Theatre is proud to be an Honor Member of Regional Dance America/Southeast (RDA/SE). RDT company members attend and participate in the prestigious RDA/SE Festival annually and the National Festival every seven years (next one is in 2024).
Roswell Dance Theatre holds auditions in August for dancers who want to participate in the RDA/SE performance process. Those selected rehearse weekly to prepare performance pieces for adjudication in February. The annual RDA/SE Festival in May provides an incredible performance opportunity for pieces selected by the adjudicator.
RDA/SE is one of the regional divisions of Regional Dance America (RDA), a national association of dance companies founded in 1988 to promote the artistic development of pre-professional dance companies throughout the United States. Participation in RDA gives our dancers outstanding additional training, experience, scholarship and networking opportunities in the greater dance community. Visit the RDA/SE page on the RDA website for more information about this great organization.
2023-24 classes are happening! Check the studio manual for info about the studio and class schedule.
Company Auditions
Auditions for the upcoming season are held in the Spring at the main studio of the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance. Online pre-registration opens 3-4 weeks in advance. To participate in the audition, each dancer must pay a fee corresponding to the number of companies they want to be considered for and are encouraged provide a head shot (optional).
Ballet Company: dancers should wear black leotards, pink tights, and ballet shoes. Dancers already on pointe will be asked to wear pointe shoes.
Movement Collective: dancers should wear black leotards and footless tights.
Company auditions consist of a technique class based on age, one for Ballet and one for MoCo. Dancers do not need to prepare pieces in advance.
We post audition results/company placements online within a month with instructions for company registration. Company members are expected to register in June.
Company Tuition
Tuition payments are billed through JackRabbit, our online registration and account management system. There are 2 ways you can pay your annual tuition:
- The total for a full year of classes may be split into equal monthly installments. These payments are automatically charged to your account on a regular monthly schedule.
- The total for a full year of classes may be paid in full at the beginning of the year, earning you a 5% discount on your tuition total (discount does not apply to costumes or performance fees). Please email admin@tysod.com if you wish to pay for the year in full, stating your intention in your email with your name and contact information.
All Company students take class with the other company members in their level, and are billed a company rate per month.
| Ballet Company – PDP | $250 |
| Ballet Co – Apprentice | $290 |
| Ballet Co – Levels 1-6 | $310 |
| Ballet Co – Levels 7-14* | $385 |
| *Includes partnering | |
| MoCo Only | $310 |
| MoCo + Ballet – PDP | $440 |
| MoCo + Ballet – Apprentice | $480 |
| MoCo + Ballet – Lev 1-6 | $500 |
| MoCo + Ballet – Lev 7-14 | $575 |
| PrePro – All Levels | $220 |
| Supplemental classes, per class | $60 |
Ballet Co = 6.5 hours of instruction (ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, etc.) per week + rehearsals
Apprentice = 6 hours of instruction (ballet, pre-pointe/pointe, modern, jazz, etc.) per week + rehearsals
PDP = 5 hours of instruction (ballet, pre-pointe, modern, jazz) per week + rehearsals
MoCo = 6.5 hours of instruction (modern, ballet, jazz, etc.) per week + rehearsals
IMPORTANT FOR THE 2023-24 SEASON: Your 2023-24 season class schedule must be set no later than Oct 31, 2023. After that, class additions or schedule changes will incur a $75 late registration fee. All new students registering after Oct 31, 2023 will incur the additional fee.
Company Dress Code
Roswell Dance Theatre’s dress code makes clear what dancers are expected to wear when they come to the studio for class. Please follow these guidelines:
Any black leotard OR RDT 23-24 Company leotard (SoDanca scoop back in Shamrock)
Tights should complement each other in either pink or flesh tone as appropriate (suggested brands: Capezio, Eurotard, or BodyWrappers)
Ballet shoes should always be clean and free of holes or rips. Dancers can wear either canvas or leather ballet shoes in classes and rehearsals. Canvas ballet shoes are required for all RDT performances, unless otherwise noted by casting costume requirements. (suggested brands: Capezio 2037W or Eurotard 1004A, split sole)
All company dancers need to wear their hair in a bun or french twist for class – no claw clips.
Cover-ups are always to be worn when coming to class and leaving the studio.
Variations from the dress code (skirts, shorts, etc.) during warm-ups or class are at the discretion of the instructor.
