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 . Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. Company reviews. 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. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out One of those dancers was Patrick Ellis, who alleges that he told Break the Floors CEO, Gil Stroming, that Lazzarini had stuffed his hand up through a hole in Elliss pants and tried to fondle him. Now is the time for continued open dialogue, soul searching, and decisive action towards making amends. - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. 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. 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. Upload your resume. Lavallee said he made it clear he was not interested in a sexual relationship. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall). Headquarters. Break The Floor Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. 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. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. Description. We and our third party vendors, like Google, use first party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookie) and third party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) to inform, optimize and serve ads based . Break the Floor has a fervent following. 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. Learn More About 24 Seven! At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. 185.120.77.169 His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Break The Floor Productions is part of the Home Improvement & Hardware Retail industry, and located in California, United States. The alleged victims story is shaky at best. Break The Floors Health & Safety Protocols can be found here: https://www.breakthefloor.com/safety. 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. Break The Floor Productions 5446 Satsuma Ave North Hollywood, CA 91601 jam . Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . Who's who in the break the floor investigation. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. 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. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. 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. September 17, 2021. Legal Name Break The Floor Productions. CODA is Break The Floor's innovative online system of style specific score sheets, video tutorials, data analytics and judge training. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a298e5fcfbebcbd 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. 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 . BTF has undergone training and revised its code of conduct, the company said in a statement. 165.8K Followers. - And more! Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek | Associated Press and Toronto Star. JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven will host a virtual event, specific to the event and city, and broadcast from our studios in Los Angeles. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Due to the LA lockdown, it took us a little longer to organize. 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, said Uchida, who alleges in 2015 he had a six-month consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini when he was 19 and Lazzarini was 31. Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. Of the eight allegations made, Wall is only implicated in the one featured in this article- and it happened nearly fourteen years ago. 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 was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. A Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by BTF coaches over their younger students, where dancers say their complaints of inappropriate conduct have been dismissed by the companys owner, letting the problem fester for years. Studio Owners, please contact us to confirm pricing, discounts, and incentives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $(document).ready(function() {\n $('.SA_response-container').click(function() {\n $('.SA_hidden', this).toggle();\n });\n });\n ","wallHtmlBody":". After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. Ellis said Stroming peppered him with questions. 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). About five years later, Lavallee, who now works as a professional dancer and choreographer, told his mother, Wendy, about everything that happened between him and the two older choreographers. 3 min read. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didn't respond to requests for comment. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. 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. Meismer didn't respond to repeated requests for comment. 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 . We could have and should have done better, he said. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. 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.. 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. 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 . Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. That night, they had sex in his apartment. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Website. The Open Database Of The Corporate World. 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. 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 Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Lonetree alleges Hicks later confronted him, took off Lonetrees headset, and told him to take a walk and come back with the answer I want. Hicks strenuously denies saying this and denies removing Lonetrees headset. 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 took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. Start of main content. This allows a dancer or studio to take class from home or at the studio (at the discounted virtual fee). Attendees squeeze into small ballrooms where choreographers teach classes. Follow. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. 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. 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.. On all orders over $100! At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. The annual revenue of Break The Floor Productions varies between 25M and 100M. 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 . It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. 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. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Film Production. 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.. A typical convention weekend lasts from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon and features dance classes with some of the world's leading dance educators. My resolve is unwavering. 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. Phone Number (706) 217-6462. Stroming did not respond to questions about this incident. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. I then felt very embarrassed. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. 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. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! 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 . I was naive, and I was just letting it all happen, Lindsey said. . The Star reviewed the text messages. 24Seven 2021. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. 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. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. 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.. - See all classes with helpful filters. Dance studios may apply their own additional administrative fees. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. The Company encompasses dance workshops, competitions, touring theatrical and video . 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. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Hudson said he was optimistic. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). 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 . With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely . Break The Floor Productions General Information. Break The Floor Productions uses 14 technology products and services including HTML5, jQuery, and Google Analytics, according to G2 Stack. 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 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.. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. Headquarters Regions Greater Los Angeles Area, West Coast, Western US. Break The Floor Productions LLC. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. Click to reveal 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. National News | 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. Write a review. So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. Discover jobs. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 100,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . Greater Los Angeles Area Event Planner Break the Floor Productions Jan 2012 - Aug 2019 7 years 8 months. 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. Etc. 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. I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. 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. 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. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. Sign in. 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.
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