Looking to travel? june 24-july 1. the venetian/palazzo. He apologized and said he himself was a victim of abuse as a teen, and that his texts to Maples were a one time ever brief exchange.. An exclusive Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by Break the Floor (a big part of the dance community of North America) coaches over . That night, they had sex in his apartment. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didn't respond to requests for comment. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. He was inviting her to his hotel room. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. Dancers repeatedly described feeling sexualized in their learning space, and multiple dancers said they felt leered at by some choreographers who would message them compliments on their appearance, sometimes immediately following classes. He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. We will be limiting attendance, working with our venue partners to increase ballroom space and implementing health procedures and guidelines to be able to offer the safest environment for our attendees. - See show line-ups. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . The company was launched 22 years ago by a charismatic dancer, Gil Stroming, who came to fame in the 1990s, performing in the off-Broadway show Tap Dogs, described in The New York Times as a beefcake tap-a-thon.. Lavallee charges that in 2008, Wall made sexual advances on him when the two stayed at Lavalees parents home overnight while teaching a dance course close by. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. The problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-based Break The Floor Productions; as the company has grown into an industry powerhouse, its leaders perpetuated a culture of sex and silence . One dance instructor said she warns the children and teens she brings to conventions today to be watchful and aware of the potential for abuse of power. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. This story was reported as a partnership between The Associated Press and the Toronto Star, The company was launched 22 years ago by a charismatic dancer, Gil Stroming, who came to fame in the 1990s, performing in the off-Broadway show Tap Dogs, described in The New York Times as a beefcake tap-a-thon.. It was discussed by everyone, but was talked about as more of an inconvenience than something that absolutely should never have been happening in the first place. And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. Break The Floor hosts conventions in cities across North America, putting on events in hotel ballrooms every weekend over the course of a six-month season. Break The Floor Productions. Break The Floor Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. Marci A. Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who founded CHILD USA and is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect its Children, said dance is one of the last forums where adults have unsupervised access to younger students. Write a review. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. In a written statement, he told the AP and Star, I have been very upfront that when I first started the company at 19, over 20 years ago, there were issues of inappropriateness. He didnt respond to the specific allegations. Hundreds of studios and schools from smaller communities bring teams of dancers to the events, branded by Stroming as JUMP, NUVO, 24seven, RADIX and DancerPalooza. Wall did not respond to detailed questions sent by The Star, and said only the accusations against me are false, in a statement through a publicist. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. Click to reveal Learn More About 24 Seven! Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. Emmy winning choreographer Travis Wall has been suspended from Break the Floor dance company's traveling tours amid an investigation into an accusation of sexually inappropriate behavior made . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. j***@breakthefloor.com. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). Dancer Isla Clarke, seen here performing in June 2021, alleges she was propositioned for sex by a choreographer nearly twice her age when she competed at a Break the Floor dance competition at age 16. The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Studio Owners, please contact us to confirm pricing, discounts, and incentives. CODA is Break The Floor's innovative online system of style specific score sheets, video tutorials, data analytics and judge training. Im not trying to bring this company down. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Break The Floor Productions. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek. (The Star has not seen the now-deleted text from Lazzarini, but has spoken with two people with whom Clarke shared or discussed the message). Company reviews. Find top employees, contact details and business statistics at RocketReach. Man convicted of California rapes that attorney blamed on defendants twin Emmy winning choreographer Travis Wall has been cut from Break the Floor dance company's traveling tours amid an investigation into an accusation of . Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. What if we plan on it and they are cancelled again? The Company encompasses dance workshops, competitions, touring theatrical and video . On all orders over $100! Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. A year or so later, shortly after her 18th birthday, Stroming flew the dancer to New York, where he told her he had lined up potentially career-launching dance auditions, she says. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County District Attorney with perpetrating lewd acts on minors in a private dance studio, and is awaiting trial. At Break the Floor Productions, we are committed to creating a dance culture rooted in excellence and focused on the well-being of our dancers and staff. Can a dancer do the scholarship audition through a virtual event? This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. It was founded by Gil Stroming (Tap Dancer) in 1999, and today it is one of the most important dance companies in the world, encompassing traveling theater productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate clothing events, real estate production rental studios, software . This salary trends is based on salaries posted anonymously by Break The Floor Productions employees. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. 185.120.77.169 Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. In a series of text messages between Schaufeld and Wallace, reviewed by the AP and the Star, Schaufeld laid out his accusations and Wallace said that although he couldnt remember anything, he couldnt be more sorry.. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Break the Floor Productions LLC operates as a dance entertainment company. Glassdoor provides our best prediction for total pay in today's job market, along with other types of pay like cash bonuses, stock bonuses, profit sharing, sales commissions, and tips. But in January, as the AP and the Star were investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against him and others involved in the company, Stroming announced that he had sold Break the Floor and stepped down as CEO. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. Lonetree said he was soon after moved to a different convention, which he said made him feel like he had to start over and establish himself with a new team. But the secret ate away at him. After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. Stroming did not respond to questions about Elliss allegations. In addition to competitions with cash prizes, Break The Floor conventions which cost between around $200 to $350 per student offer dozens of workshops, under strobing lights and thumping music. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. - And more! But behind the bright lights and pulsing music, some dancers say they were sexually assaulted, harassed and manipulated by the companys powerful founder and famous teachers and choreographers, according to a joint investigation by The Associated Press and the Toronto Star. Contact Email info@breakthefloor.com. They typically end with parents on the sidelines shooting photos of their beaming children in leotards and makeup, striking poses alongside famous choreographers and dancers. Lavallee caught the attention of Wall an Emmy winner and So You Think You Can Dance runner-up who was judging his performance at a BTF competition in the summer of 2008, Lavallee said. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. The AP and the Star spoke to the dancers father, who said that in the years following, she told him about these sexual interactions with Stroming, which left her deeply upset. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. Founders Gil Stroming. Description. Break The Floor Productions. Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. Im not a monster but I feel like one, Wallace wrote, adding that he has a lot of hazy memories and a huge list of regrets/mistakes from that time period. When Ellis explained that he recoiled before Lazzarini actually touched his genitals, he alleges Stroming declared it wasnt actually sexual harassment because he didnt actually touch me.. Stroming did not respond to specific questions, though told the Star that the dance company did not have fully thought out policies and procedures regarding this and, over the last year and a half we have worked very hard to make BTF a better and safer environment for everyone.. Dancer Nico Lonetree, of Saint Paul, Minn., alleges he was propositioned for oral sex by BTF employee Vincent Hicks via texts while they both worked at the RADIX BTF dance convention on Feb. 11, 2017, in Houston, Texas. Ellis recalled that on the last night of the dance season in May 2017, when Ellis was 21, Lazzarini kissed him while they were out at a club with other staff members. Follow. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. Receive up-to-date schedules and info when attending any of the Break The Floor events: JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven, The Dance Awards, DancerPalooza and Dance Teacher Summit! confront my own shortcomings, I vow to take every step necessary to turn them into the very strengths I will use to help empower and protect others. Stroming was allegedly involved in a series of inappropriate relationships with students of the dance program he was running, according to more than a dozen former staff and students. She said once she turned 18, Gabriel, 29 at that time in 2017, invited her to his hotel room in a text message with a shirtless photo. All of our in-person events will now have a virtual option. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. The whole story seems fishy. Several individuals have recently stepped forward to publicly express their feelings of hurt or betrayal based on interactions they had with me between 2012 and 2020. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. Im not a monster but I feel like one, Wallace wrote, adding that he has a lot of hazy memories and a huge list of regrets/mistakes from that time period. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. He apologized and said he himself was a victim of abuse as a teen, and that his texts to Maples were a one time ever brief exchange.. His mental health deteriorated. That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. Since then, Break The Floor has become one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. A few months later, without warning, Lavallee said, Wall cut off communication with him in the middle of one weekend and didnt show up to one of their scheduled teaching sessions. Dancers can take workshop classes at home or the studio may organize a watch and dance party at their studio. What will the in-person events look like? with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Learn how to leverage transparent company data at scale. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. www.floorproductionsllc.com. We could have and should have done better, he said. In the text conversation, Hicks told Lonetree, I have a blow job with your name on it. Lonetree brushed off Hickss propositions over text, the texts show. Upload your resume. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. But it all blew up when Beacham's husband, Kirk, contacted Gil Stroming, owner of Break the Floor Productions, about why the company would cancel the studio's registration to the Jump and Nuvo . Break the Floor Productions is one of the worlds preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out New App with lots of helpful features. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Check! Operating Status Active. Susan Kao illustration with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, John Lamparski/Getty Images, Broderick Baumann and ngel Vasquez, VIDEO OF BTF EVENT, OCT. 14, 2018: NICO LONETREE/@NICOGOOFS. About two decades ago, when she was a dance teacher accompanying her students to a Break the Floor event, she said she refused Stromings $500 offer to join him in his hotel room. The number of employees ranges from 25 to 100. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. Jeremy Hudson, now a professional dancer, came of age on the convention circuit and won Outstanding Dancer of the Year at the first JUMP Nationals in 2004. A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall). agreed. Who's who in the break the floor investigation. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. I believe if I had been taken seriously at the time I came forward with my experiences, this could have prevented another person from finding themselves in the same position that I was forced into, Ellis said. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. Dance studios may apply their own additional administrative fees. Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? Start of main content. 24Seven 2021. Schaufeld had fallen in love with tap at 7 years old, and assisting Wallace offered a chance to raise his profile and learn from one of the best. The Open Database Of The Corporate World. The problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-based Break The Floor Productions; as the company has grown into an industry powerhouse, its leaders perpetuated a culture of sex and silence . Location. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. I totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! Break The Floor Productions is a Music & Music Related Services, and Media & Internet company located in New York, New York with $2.40 Million in revenue and 62 employees. BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! Email. Flat-rate shipping on all physical store items anywhere in the US! Discover jobs. The problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-based Break The Floor Productions; as the company has grown into an industry powerhouse, its leaders perpetuated a culture . In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. It has been humbling. That night, they had sex in his apartment. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Gil Stromings company capitalized on all of that studio growth, an industry that reached about $4 billion in value by 2021, employing more than 120,000 people, according to market research from analysts at IbisWorld. Its headquarters is located at New York, New York, USA. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. It banned inviting students to hotel rooms and said instructors shouldnt call students their daughter or son. And it encourages discretion online regarding Religion, Social Justice, Discrimination, Politics, Love and Romance, Abuse, Mental Health, Bullying, and Terrorism., The new code of conduct also says educators are considered mandated reporters regarding suspected child abuse: If you witness anything concerning, it is your duty to report it to the appropriate authorities.. Description. National News | Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. The problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-based Break The Floor Productions; as the company has grown into an industry powerhouse, its leaders perpetuated a culture of sex and silence, according to interviews with dozens of former and current staff and students. CODA aims to revolutionize the dance competition experience and is complimentary for every routine registered for JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven and The Dance Awards. That dancer now works for BTF as a choreographer. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be refunded within 7 business days of the event. I was naive, and I was just letting it all happen, Lindsey said. 165.8K Followers. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. Allegations of sexual misconduct first hit the dance company in October, when the Toronto Starrevealed allegationsof widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Break the Floor instructors. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. Sign in. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Film Production. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. Saying Pennsylvania is in the midst of a workforce crisis, Gov. About us. 5446 Satsuma Ave, N Hollywood, California, 91601, United States. Gabriel, when asked about Maples accusation, said in a written statement that he had been drinking heavily that night to control fears about serious health problems in his family. Snapshot; Why Join Us . Two-time Emmy-winning choreographer and So You Think You Can Dance star Travis Wall has been taken off of the Break the Floor dance company's tours after allegations . Free and open company data on California (US) company BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC (company number 201329710098), 5446 SATSUMA AVE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, 91601. For more than 30 years, Russell has been CEO of numerous companies and run a portfolio of investments in theatrical film production, sports lending, film finance and lending, media buying, and . Gabriel, when asked about Maples accusation, said in a written statement that he had been drinking heavily that night to control fears about serious health problems in his family. Break The Floor puts on performances and hosts dance schools across the United States & has said that they will be looking into the allegations against Wall. National News | Check! He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. The new owner, Russell Geyser, said the allegations have nothing to do with the current company, and that people involved with purported misconduct no longer work for Break The Floor. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. Finally, while some of what is being said about me is inaccurate or mischaracterized, there is enough truth in their stories to make me feel ashamed and remorseful. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. Schaufeld had fallen in love with tap at 7 years old, and assisting Wallace offered a chance to raise his profile and learn from one of the best. He worked at a convention in Minneapolis, Minn., where he alleges a 31-year-old Lazzarini groped him. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. Refund Policy for the 2020-2021 Season: If an in-person event is unable to be held on the originally advertised dates, and the studio decides not to attend the event virtually, Break The Floor will issue a FULL REFUND within 7 days of the scheduled event date. The new owner, Russell Geyser, said the allegations have nothing to do with the current company, and that people involved with purported misconduct no longer work for Break The Floor. Its the opposite of a zero tolerance policy, Ellis said. While not all of the complainants in this story were involved with Break the Floor at the time of the alleged incidents, the instructors and executives accused of wrongdoing have played key roles in growing the companys revenue and popularity. Lazzarini denies subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. Hicks said he sought therapy and a sexual treatment course in an effort to hold myself accountable and also deal with the feelings of feeling like I had wronged him in that way when that was never my intention. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. By the mid-2000s, dance exploded into the mainstream with the debuts of popular television shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. Lavallee also revealed to The Star that Wall gave him ecstasy that night, and we were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now. Lavallee told the Star he invited a friend to come over to divert where he felt the night was going and a few months later, Wall ceased all communication with him and didnt show up for a scheduled teaching session. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely responsible for the transformation of dance entertainment. I have dedicated my life to creating happiness and joy in this world through dance and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have caused anyone to feel sad or hurt. Based on the Toronto Stars expose, Eight former staff and students allege BTF employees, famous in the dance world, initiated sexual conversations, propositioned them for sex, sent them nude photos, sexually harassed them at work or engaged in sexual relationships with them.Myles Lavallee (one of the students) has accused Wall of starting to groom him when Lavallee was just sixteen years old and Wall was approximately twenty years old.
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