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.
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, and contemporary dance audition annually for selection and placement within the companies.
Roswell Dance Theatre Founders
Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz & Mary Lynn Taylor
2024-25 Classes and Rehearsals
RDT kicks off its annual season with a 4-week boot camp, held throughout the month of August. Boot camp reconnects dancers and instructors who have been apart for the summer months. Dancers “warm up” 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 roles and look forward to many weeks ahead to rehearse and perfect their performance.
Company and Open School dancers all begin regular classes the day after Labor Day. RDT Company members are challenged with higher expectations in weekly classes. In return, they receive focused attention on technique improvement, musicality, spatial awareness and everything they need to be a higher level performer. The curriculum includes Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop classes, as well as optional Partnering, Theatre Dance, and other technique classes.
Ballet Company classes are indicated as either indicated Technique (T) or Performing (P) classes.
Teacher Key:
TYB = Tracey Yanckello Bayly | GMB = Gia Mongell Binner | PB = Pumkin Byrd | JD = Jeanne Deitrich | AE = Akeem Edwards | RG = Robert Gosnell | JH = Jonah Hooper | JK = Jena Kovash | BL = Brianna Levine | KTN = Kassandra Taylor Newberry | RS = Roscoe Sales | SS = Stacey Slichter | MLT = Mary Lynn Taylor | JW = Jenna Werner | NTY = Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz | CY = Claire Young
Need some more info? View/Download the 2024-25 Studio Manual for details and schedules.
See the Ballet Company, PrePro Company and Movement Collective pages for detailed information about membership 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.
The 2024-25 season is coming soon! 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.
LEARN MORE ABOUT COMPANY AUDITIONS
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:
- Split the total for a full year of classes into equal monthly installments. These payments are automatically charged to your account on a regular monthly schedule.
- Pay the total for a full year of classes 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). If you want to pay the year in full, email admin@tysod.com – state your intention and include your name and contact information.
| Ballet Company – PDP | $250 |
| Ballet Company – Apprentice – Level 14 | $310 |
| Partnering *The cost for Partnering is $90/mo. for Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, April/May. It is billed at $70/every mo. through the season, Sept-May. |
$70* |
| MoCo Only | $310 |
| MoCo – ADD TO Ballet Company (all levels) | $270 |
| PrePro – ADD TO Ballet Company (all levels) | $220 |
| Supplemental classes, per class | $65 |
| Annual Membership Fees | |
| One Company | $300 |
| Two Companies | $500 |
| PreProfessional Company | $100 |
Ballet Co = 6.5 hrs/wk class + rehearsals
Apprentice = 6.5 hrs/wk class + rehearsals
PDP = 4.5 hrs/wk class + rehearsals
MoCo = 6.5 hrs/wk class + rehearsals
IMPORTANT FOR THE 2024-25 SEASON: Your 2024-25 season class schedule must be set no later than Oct 31, 2024. After that, class additions or schedule changes will incur a $75 late registration fee. All new students registering after Oct 31, 2024 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 24-25 Company leotard (Danse de Paris, Chanelle Black (DANS-L0113))
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.
Dancers must always wear cover-ups 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.
