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. Lavallee called a friend to come over to divert where he said he felt the night was leading. 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. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. 11/20/2022 12:38 PM. Lavallee said he made it clear he was not interested in a sexual relationship. 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 . My Break The Floor | Photo & Video 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 . But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. They provide amazing opportunities. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say In summer 2018, about two years after Ellis approached Stroming about Lazzarinis conduct, 17-year-old Zeke Lindsey met Lazzarini and began taking his classes. Email. In the next week, we will be releasing an FAQ that will deal with all other questions. CONTACT - Break the Floor Productions Saying Pennsylvania is in the midst of a workforce crisis, Gov. After this investigation published, BTF issued a statement saying it fired the choreographer following this incident because of concerns about this type of behaviour., After receiving questions regarding the allegations, Lazzarini sent text messages to three of the dancers who spoke to the Star, saying to one, I will do my best to be a better person and apologizing to another, Im so so sorry I ever made you feel uncomfortable.. After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be refunded within 7 business days of the event. Floor Productions - Overview, News & Competitors | ZoomInfo.com Famous Break the Floor instructors accused of sexual harassment | The Star Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 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.. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. Break The Floor Productions uses 14 technology products and services including HTML5, jQuery, and Google Analytics, according to G2 Stack. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Founders Gil Stroming. The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! When I began teaching dance, I did so with the singular goal of helping individuals discover, develop, and express their truest selves. The combination of hyper-sexual dance content and the close contact between adult teachers and the young dancers creates an atmosphere ripe for abuse, said Jamal Story, a professional dancer who is co-chair of the National Dance Committee for The Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Break The Floor Productions AV Technician Hourly Pay Break the Floor (who is bringing in a third party to launch an investigation into the accusation lobbied against Wall) said in a story on the companys Instagram page on Friday Travis will not be traveling with BTF until weve had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations,going on to say We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary.For his own part, Wall told the Star through his publicist thatthe accusations against me are false, but has not commented on on being cut from Break the Floors tour due to the accusations. Break the Floor Productions Jan 2015 - Aug 2019 4 years 8 months. Photos: Break the Floor, Joe Corrigan/Getty Images, Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Beau Campbell, Miss Toto Rodgers, KiLeigh Williams, ngel Vasquez, Lee Gumbs, Broderick Baumann. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. 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. Competition routines will be uploaded to our website and judged virtually. One dancer said she met Stroming when she was a 16-year-old high school junior attending one of Break the Floors first events with her parents. june 24-july 1. the venetian/palazzo. j***@breakthefloor.com. 3 min read. One dancer said she met Stroming when she was a 16-year-old high school junior attending one of Break the Floors first events with her parents. Discover jobs. Break The Floor Productions. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Break The Floor Productions Salaries - Glassdoor BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. Thank you. JUMP is proud to integrate CODA into all its competition. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video production and apparel. Subscribe to our emails. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. Working at Break The Floor Productions | Glassdoor 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! Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. Break The Floor Productions, LLC is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. Emmy-winning choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance breakout star, and Shaping Sounds co-founder Travis Wall has been removed from a tour with Break The Floor dance company as allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior that have surfaced are being investigated (via The Toronto Star).Break The Floor puts on performances and hosts dance schools across the United States & has said that . 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. (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Start of main content. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. Lazzarini noticed a tear in Elliss pants and he just shoved his hand up my pants, to which I quickly reacted because I was already embarrassed and didnt need a hand grabbing my genitalia, alleged Ellis. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. 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. 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. JUMP/NUVO/24SEVEN/TDA.Watch the latest video from Break The Floor (@breakthefloor). An ongoing investigation by the Star in partnership with the AP now has uncovered alleged sexual misconduct that stretches back to the dance companys early years, and involves Stroming himself. join our mailing list It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. Related Articles Break The Floor Productions. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. 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. Nico Lonetree (left) and Myles Lavallee are among eight dancers who allege they were subjected to sexual harassment or predatory behaviour from staff of the prominent dance company, Break the Floor. Gabriel, another famous dancer and choreographer, allegedly sent a nude photo on Snapchat to a 16-year-old dancer who says she was so horrified she threw her phone across the room. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 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. 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.. Dance organizations create wide opportunities for adults to single out a child, groom them and then get them alone to sexually abuse them, she said. Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . 10 Mar, 2022, 01.17 PM IST. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. At Floor Productions we deliver best-in-class quality with the industries' best time-to-market project completion. Break The Floor Productions - Tech Stack, Apps, Patents & Trademarks 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. Break The Floor Productions General Information. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. - See all classes with helpful filters. 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. 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. 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. 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 . California teacher who gave birth to child fathered by student hit with another sexual abuse lawsuit To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. September 17, 2021. 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 the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. Jackie Stroming's Phone Number and Email Last Update. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. That night, they had sex in his apartment. He was inviting her to his hotel room. The creative type? About us. Isla Clarke was 16 when she alleges she received a nude photo texted by one of North Americas most famous dance choreographers, a man nearly twice her age. 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. The televised dance shows brought fame to dancers Nick Lazzarini, Travis Wall and Misha Gabriel, who became big name attractions as Break The Floor instructors. Now is the time for continued open dialogue, soul searching, and decisive action towards making amends. He won the best dancer title in 2014 and worked for BTF for two years as a dance assistant, travelling across Canada and the United States. 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. 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 . Break The Floor Productions Company Profile: Funding & Investors The combination of hyper-sexual dance content and the close contact between adult teachers and the young dancers creates an atmosphere ripe for abuse, said Jamal Story, a professional dancer who is co-chair of the National Dance Committee for The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. Once on the convention circuit, children as young as five years old and teens spend entire weekends, from early morning to sometimes past midnight in hotel ballrooms and convention centres. I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation (US Only) All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . 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. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Company Sold Dream of Fame. Dancers Call It a Nightmare - Newser Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Headquarters. 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. CODA aims to revolutionize the dance competition experience and is complimentary for every routine registered for JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven and The Dance Awards. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . It just felt like the next step was for us to be in contact and kiss one another.. Can a dancer do the scholarship audition through a virtual event? Out So You Think You Can Dance winner and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Travis Wall has been cut from dance company Break the Floor's tours following an . So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . 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. 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. Travis has made some great dance routines and is a great dancer. Travis Wall Cut From Break the Floor Dance Company Tour Amid - Yahoo! Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. Etc. Of these sources, four say he sometimes brought young Break the Floor participants to parties or company events, where they were introduced as his girlfriend. 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. 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. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. Specialties: Event Production Established in 2000. Of the eight allegations made, Wall is only implicated in the one featured in this article- and it happened nearly fourteen years ago. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Dance organizations create wide opportunities for adults to single out a child, groom them and then get them alone to sexually abuse them, she said. Lavalee stated that he felt he was being groomed for a sexual relationship and that he was now being punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Break the Floor founder, celebrity dance instructors face sexual misconduct allegations as the prominent company's crisis deepens. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. This is quite common in the industry and is used to cover the time and expense Studio Owners incur while organizing, registering and attending these events. 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. After Maples showed the screenshots to friends who shared them on social media, Gabriel sent her a message threatening to ruin her career, she said. As I embark on a path of repentance, I will use the platform I have been given to do better in the future and to help others get it right too. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. Break The Floor Productions 5446 Satsuma Ave North Hollywood, CA 91601 jam . Company reviews. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. Break the Floor offers dance workshops, contests, touring theatrical productions, picture and video production, corporate events . All of these sources spoke on the condition of anonymity in fear of retaliation and damage to their careers in the tight-knit professional dance community. October 25 2021 11:10 AM EST. Check! Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Description. I totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. A post shared by MYLES LAVALLE (@myleslavallee). Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. Break The Floor Productions. October 25 2021 2:20 PM EST. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. break the floor Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. A people person? He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Break The Floor Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions The largest room is reserved for the main stage, where at many events, aspiring dancers perform showcases and compete for the title of best dancer.. Your IP: Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. Not saying it definitely never happened, but I need more proof before Im willing to label Wall or anyone else a predator. 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. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. Company Type For Profit. Payment Terms for the 2020-2021 Season: The registration deadline will remain 30 days prior to the events, however payment will not need to be made until 14 days prior. Learn More About 24 Seven! He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. That dancer now works for BTF as a choreographer. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. Three of these dancers were under 18. Operator of dance entertainment company committed to creating a dance culture. 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.. 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. Location. Arts Apr 20. In an interview earlier this year with the AP and the Star, Wallace denied Schaufelds allegations and said nothing sexual or physical ever transpired between them. Clarke was competing that July 2012 day at a New York City event put on by Break the Floor, a prominent company that tours Canada, the United States and Mexico hosting dance schools and putting on performances led by elite dancers and choreographers known from Broadway, film and television. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at Break The Floor Productions and prepare for tough questions. Film Production. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. A typical convention weekend lasts from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon and features dance classes with some of the world's leading dance educators. but trust us. Stroming did not respond to questions about Elliss allegations. Russell Geyser - CEO at Break The Floor Productions | The Org 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. An ongoing investigation by the Star in partnership with the AP now has uncovered alleged sexual misconduct that stretches back to the dance companys early years, and involves Stroming himself. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. Thousands of hopefuls cram into hotel ballrooms across the continent for the chance to be discovered by a top choreographer and catapulted into the spotlight.

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