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I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). Snapshot; Why Join Us . 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. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. 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. That night, they had sex in his apartment. 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). 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. New App with lots of helpful features. Uchida, who was working as a dance assistant for BTF, alleges Lazzarini groped him in public without his consent before and after their relationship, and made derogatory, as well as racist comments about him in front of his peers and boss. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. 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. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. 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. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. September 17, 2021. 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. 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. 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. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. 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. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. Headquarters. Sign in. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. JUMP is proud to integrate CODA into all its competition. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. Now is the time for continued open dialogue, soul searching, and decisive action towards making amends. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. 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.. 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. A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall). He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. 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. 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. What will the in-person events look like? Im not trying to bring this company down. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. 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. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. Email. Due to the LA lockdown, it took us a little longer to organize. Break The Floor Productions. Others did make allegations about BTF staff to owner and CEO Stroming, but their concerns were dismissed, allege two former staffers who say they were harassed on the job. Click to reveal 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 . 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.. 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. LOS ANGELES Every year, one of the worlds 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. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. A post shared by Break The Floor Productions (@breakthefloorprod). 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. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! Read More. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. 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. Break the Floor offers dance workshops, contests, touring theatrical productions, picture and video production, corporate events . 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. But the secret ate away at him. 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. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. 2.7 out of 5 stars. 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 Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. Description. The Open Database Of The Corporate World. I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 24Seven 2021. FREE Shipping. 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. 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. 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.. The Company encompasses dance workshops, competitions, touring theatrical and video . 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. And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. The number of employees ranges from 25 to 100. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. We were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now, he said. Our goal for this coming season is clear we are going to be holding all events, no matter what, GUARANTEED. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. 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. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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. Attendees squeeze into small ballrooms where choreographers teach classes. Meismer didn't respond to repeated requests for comment. National News | There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. 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. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza, Associated Press, Morgan Bocknek, Toronto Star . So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . Man convicted of California rapes that attorney blamed on defendants twin 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 ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. 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. 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He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. Button taught at Radix conventions. 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. Ellis said Stroming peppered him with questions. The company provides dance workshops and competitions, touring theatrical productions, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel along with a broad range of business prospects to its customers. (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). 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. The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. Yet, I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love and thank them for their patience and grace. 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. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. 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. We could have and should have done better, he said. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. 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 . It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Please know, the Break The Floor team is committed to bringing you the safest, most organized and exceptional events in the dance industry. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. . Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. The incentive is a tax credit designed to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the growing . The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. 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. I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. 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.. 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.. 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. 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. I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. 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 . Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. Hours earlier, the Toronto-born teen performed before a panel of judges that included the choreographer, Nick Lazzarini, a luminary in the dance world and first-ever winner of the TV show So You Think You Can Dance.. 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. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. 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. Find top employees, contact details and business statistics at RocketReach. 165.8K Followers. A post shared by MYLES LAVALLE (@myleslavallee). Take a look at our available positions: The biggest problem facing the dance industry (and everything, quite frankly) is uncertainty. Website. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. 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 only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. Los Angeles Every year, one of the worlds 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. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. Break The Floor Productions. j***@breakthefloor.com. 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. 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. High school student, convention boyfriend. Dance studios may apply their own additional administrative fees. 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 . Lavallee also said that Wall gave him ecstasy that night. 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. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. Allegations and Scandal Update. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek | Associated Press and Toronto Star. Break The Floor Productions is part of the Home Improvement & Hardware Retail industry, and located in California, United States. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. National News | His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! . Stroming declined repeated interview requests. 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.. 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 . An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. Break The Floor Productions is a private company. 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. Break The Floor Productions is actively using 50 technologies for its website, according to BuiltWith. This option would also allow the dancers or studios attending the virtual workshop to still come to the venue for the competition portion of the event. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. Lavalee also charges that in an earlier incident, he attended a hotel room party in California where Wall gave him crystal meth so he could stay awake for his flight back home to Arizona. (Lavallee had never done any drugs at all prior to the alleged incident). Related Articles - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. 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. Lazzarini denies subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. 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. Company instructors have appeared on Dancing with the Stars, Dance Moms and So You Think You Can Dance. When COVID-19 lockdowns suspended in-person workshops, Break the Floor enlisted social media superstar Charli DAmelio, whose TikTok account has around 10.5 billion likes, to record instructional videos. 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. Six dancers, including Clarke, allege Lazzarini subjected them to unwanted sexual advances. 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. Break The Floor Productions LLC. I was naive, and I was just letting it all happen, Lindsey said. 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 . Start of main content. Employers / Post Job. 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. Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims 10 Mar, 2022, 01.17 PM IST. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Sign in. 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. Operating Status Active. Three of these dancers were under 18. Find salaries. 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. 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.