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. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. Sign in. The problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-based Break The Floor Productions, whose alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and Super Bowl . I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. Break The Floor Productions Overview | SignalHire Company Profile It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. 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. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. In a statement, BTF Productions said, For some time, we have taken substantial steps to ensure BTF is the safe and comfortable environment that our attendees and employees deserve and expect.. At Floor Productions we deliver best-in-class quality with the industries' best time-to-market project completion. 2.7. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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.Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. Allegations of sexual misconduct first hit the dance company in October, when the Toronto Star revealed allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Break the Floor instructors. 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. 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 incentive is a tax credit designed to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the growing . That dancer now works for BTF as a choreographer. Read More. Subscribe to our emails. My Break The Floor | Photo & Video In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Eventually, Lazzarini began to avoid her at dance conventions, Clarke said, and this made her anxious, as she feared he was in a position to impede her career. As a student I was in inappropriate relationships with teachers, and vice versa, and just looking back I was like, oh wow, I think a lot of us dont even realize at first the power that we have in the dance world.. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer., In a statement, Lazzarini apologized to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth.. Break the Floor Dance Company Investigation Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. Company reviews. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. The whole story seems fishy. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. These include Viewport Meta, IPhone / Mobile Compatible, and LetsEncrypt. 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. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). 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. Break The Floor Productions. 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. 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. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. orlando, fl. 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. But the secret ate away at him. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she 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. Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. 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. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Break the Floor Productions - New York, NY - Yelp Its the opposite of a zero tolerance policy, Ellis said. He was inviting her to his hotel room. 24 Seven Dance Convention 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. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. 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. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. Learn how to leverage transparent company data at scale. Break The Floor Productions Salaries - Glassdoor He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who wasnt with Break the Floor at the time, but would go on to run one of its subsidiary conventions. . 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. 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. 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. I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. I totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. 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 . Lazzarini denies subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. 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 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, he said. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Break the Floor Productions - NYC-ARTS National News | 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. 24Seven 2021. 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. Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual harassment that some readers could find distressing. 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. Who's who in the break the floor investigation. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The alleged victims story is shaky at best. 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. 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. The next summer, Ellis said he approached Stroming at the Dance Awards, the biggest BTF event of the season, to tell him how Lazzarini had harassed him. 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 . Founded Date 1999. Allegations and Scandal Update. 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. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. Russell Geyser - CEO at Break The Floor Productions | The Org Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. agreed. 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. 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. Gil Stroming founded the excellent company named Break The Floor Productions in 1999 and has since grown it into one of the most famous dance entertainment companies in the world. 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. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. 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. 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. it's worth it! And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Start of main content. Break The Floor - Apps on Google Play Click to reveal Find salaries. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. 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. Read More . The annual revenue of Break The Floor Productions varies between 25M and 100M. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). Legal Name Break The Floor Productions. High school student, convention boyfriend. 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. Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation 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. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. Hudson said he was optimistic. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. 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. 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. 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. 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. In the fall of 2008, Wall was teaching a course near Lavallees house in Arizona, and Lavallees parents invited Wall to stay overnight, Lavallee said. Break The Floor Productions - Datanyze: Find Business Contact Info for 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. Break The Floor Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. Break the Floor founder, celebrity dance instructors face sexual misconduct allegations as the prominent company's crisis deepens. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall). Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. The biggest problem facing the dance industry (and everything, quite frankly) is uncertainty. He said he felt punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. 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. Learn More About 24 Seven! 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. Breaking the silence: Dancers accuse choreographers of sexual Break The Floor Competition Code - CODES By Break The Floor He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. 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. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. Here's what we know about the sexual assault allegations filed against Sign in. Competition routines will be uploaded to our website and judged virtually. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely . He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. Lavallee said they exchanged numbers, and over a few texts and calls, he agreed to become Walls dance assistant. All of our in-person events will now have a virtual option. Shapiro aims tax break at police officers, teachers, nurses Write a review. 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. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. CODA aims to revolutionize the dance competition experience and is complimentary for every routine registered for JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven and The Dance Awards. It has been humbling. 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.. Not saying it definitely never happened, but I need more proof before Im willing to label Wall or anyone else a predator. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. 5446 Satsuma Ave, N Hollywood, California, 91601, United States. Break The Floor Productions uses 14 technology products and services including HTML5, jQuery, and Google Analytics, according to G2 Stack. Hudson is now a famous dancer, with a resume that spans mega tours with Pink, Lady Gaga and Kylie Minogue, and appearances in more than a dozen films including La La Land and FAME. For 17 years, he kept to himself about what happened with Meismer. Here is how it will work: JUMP, NUVO & 24 Seven will be planning all events, in-person, for the upcoming season. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Travis Wall Dismissed From Tour After Sexual Misconduct Allegations 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. 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. june 24-july 1. the venetian/palazzo. Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions 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. They provide amazing opportunities. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. 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. Check! 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! Button taught at Radix conventions. Jackie Stroming's Phone Number and Email Last Update. We view this situation as an opportunity to expand our vision to bring the excitement of dance to everyone, all over the world, no matter the circumstance. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. 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. A typical convention weekend lasts from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon and features dance classes with some of the world's leading dance educators. Etc. The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. Contact Email info@breakthefloor.com. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek. Operating Status Active. Break The Floor Productions is part of the Home Improvement & Hardware Retail industry, and located in California, United States. 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. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. 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. 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.. Break the Floor offers dance workshops, contests, touring theatrical productions, picture and video production, corporate events . We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. 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. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. 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 .

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