Hugs From Young Choreographers is an annual charity event held in the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance Performance Studio. Top level Roswell Dance Theatre Ballet Company members present three performances to benefit a charity of their choosing. Each Choreographer selects music, cast, and costumes to create an original masterpiece. HUGS allows our young people to showcase their talents to the public and show the community how effective young people can be when they join together to make an impact.

We do not sell tickets to our HUGS shows – instead we kindly request that each audience member make a donation in lieu of their ticket as they enter the show. (Suggested $10 per adult, $5 per child…but any amount is truly appreciated.)

THE 2024 CHARITY

This year, the dancers will use their time and athletic abilities to raise money for The Smasherson Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provide additional support for children and families fighting all types of pediatric cancer, including financial assistance, emotional support and all kinds of resources. The Smasherson Foundation funds novel and cutting-edge research through Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta pediatric neuro-oncology team. With over 28,000 children and teens fighting brain cancer, they are dedicated to driving meaningful research into a disease that has impacted so many families. LEARN MORE about The Smasherson Foundation and all their amazing services

HUGS BOUTIQUE

Along with the original choreographic works, please visit our HUGS Boutique with items for sale at all three performances to raise additional money for the charity. Our younger dancers always look forward to previewing the wide collection of hand-decorated pointe shoes made by the choreographers and picking at least one special one to take home as a keepsake.

The HUGS 2024 boutique will be open Saturday Sept 7 and Sunday Sept 8 in the main lobby during our HUGS shows.

HUGS SILENT AUCTION

HUGS fundraising efforts also include an amazing silent auction each year. Auction items will be on display in our main lobby during all HUGS shows, and bidding will be done online again this year. There will be so many auction baskets – Mrs. Mary’s home-baked treats, private lessons with a favorite teacher, and much much more!

• The auction opens Sat Aug 31 at noon so you can start browsing and bidding.
• The auction will close Sun Sept 8 at 9pm.

*To bid in our auction you must create an account on the auction website.

Auction winners may pick up items from the TYSOD Studio Cafe. To access the cafe, please use the stairs in the breezeway next to Bigby Coffee.
Pickup times:

• Monday Sept 9 from 4-6
• Tuesday Sept 10 from 4-6
• Wednesday Sept 11 from 5-7
• Or CONTACT US to make arrangements for an alternate pickup time.

ALL WINNERS MUST CLAIM THEIR ITEMS BY SUNDAY SEPT 15 (except Mrs. Mary’s baked goods – see specific auction item listings for pickup info). THERE IS NO SHIPPING. All unclaimed items will be donated.

ALL proceeds will go to The Smasherson Foundation.