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Location. agreed. All of our in-person events will now have a virtual option. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Pay & Benefits. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. 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. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. but trust us. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. 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. 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 . 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). 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 . 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. Every year, one of the world's leading dance competition companies sells the dream of Hollywood fame to hundreds of thousands of ambitious young dancers hoping to launch careers on television, in movies and on stage. 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 . 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. 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. 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 Floor Productions we deliver best-in-class quality with the industries' best time-to-market project completion. 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. It just felt like the next step was for us to be in contact and kiss one another.. This allows a dancer or studio to take class from home or at the studio (at the discounted virtual fee). This will be a real. I carry so much shame, because I knew who this person was I still indulged in the attention anyways, and it made me feel super icky. 10 Mar, 2022, 01.17 PM IST. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. 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 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 didn't respond to the specific allegations. Contact. 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. He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who wasn't with Break the Floor at the time, but would go on to run one of its subsidiary conventions. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. 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.. 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. New App with lots of helpful features. Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. 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. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. 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. Dancers can take workshop classes at home or the studio may organize a watch and dance party at their studio. JUMP/NUVO/24SEVEN/TDA.Watch the latest video from Break The Floor (@breakthefloor). That night, they had sex in his apartment. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 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. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. I dont know in which ways more to be accountable, in which ways more to apologize, or in which ways more to make it right, Hicks said. Break The Floor Productions 6555 Barton Ave., Ste. However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. 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. National News | After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out Find salaries. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. They provide amazing opportunities. 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. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. Follow. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. 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. Arts Apr 20. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. 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. The alleged victims story is shaky at best. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Our goal for this coming season is clear we are going to be holding all events, no matter what, GUARANTEED. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. 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. 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. Operator of dance entertainment company committed to creating a dance culture. 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. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall of a hotel room they shared with a female assistant and forced oral sex on him. Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims That night, they had sex in his apartment. They provide amazing opportunities. I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. 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 . 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. 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. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall). JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven will host a virtual event, specific to the event and city, and broadcast from our studios in Los Angeles. 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 . Of the eight allegations made, Wall is only implicated in the one featured in this article- and it happened nearly fourteen years ago. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. All rights reserved. Break The Floor Productions. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. Lazzarini would laugh and smile and would play it lighthearted so as to not take on the full responsibility of what he was doing, said Ellis. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. I dont think I was aware of how manipulated I was and how easy it was for (Lazzarini) to take advantage of the situation, Lindsey said. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. Contact. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! We know this season will look a little different for now. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Josh Shapiro said he will propose a three-year incentive of up to $2,500 a year for newly certified teachers, police officers and nurses when the Democrat unveils his budget plan on Tuesday. Dancers say leading company bred culture of, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence, California teacher who gave birth to child fathered by student hit with another sexual abuse lawsuit, Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims, Man convicted of California rapes that attorney blamed on defendants twin, San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out, Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years for rape, sexual assault. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. it's worth it! I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust., In a later response, after being presented with an additional accusation that he sent nude photos to a teenage dancer, Lazzarini added: I have never subjected anyone to unwanted sexual advances. Upload your resume. 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. 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. Employers / Post Job. 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. 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. The lawsuit and its disturbing allegations have rocked the ballet world, one populated by young dancers most of them girls who train under exacting instructors in hopes of reaching the top . 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as young as 5, to packed hotel ballrooms across the U.S. and Canada for weekend workshops and competitions. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . 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 . <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> 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. 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 . 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. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. October 25 2021 11:10 AM EST. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. Break The Floor Productions uses 14 technology products and services including HTML5, jQuery, and Google Analytics, according to G2 Stack. 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. 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. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. As for the other allegation from the then 16-year-old, Gabriel denied sending the photo, saying he would never engage in inappropriate behavior that would ever lead to sending something like this" to a teen. Read More. Button taught at Radix conventions. 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. We understand that some studios and families might not yet feel comfortable attending the in-person workshop. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. (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). By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza, Associated Press, Morgan Bocknek, Toronto Star . He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. Please know, the Break The Floor team is committed to bringing you the safest, most organized and exceptional events in the dance industry. 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. 15 reviews. Break the Floor Productions LLC operates as a dance entertainment company. Break The Floor Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor.