The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . 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. 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 Competition Code - CODES By Break The Floor Break The Floor Productions Email Format & Employee Directory | ContactOut Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. Break The Floor Productions AV Technician Hourly Pay Russell is known for a high level of professionalism in the entertainment industry. 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. Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. 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. 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. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Founded Date 1999. 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.. Break The Floor Productions - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. Button taught at Radix conventions. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. To get a job at Break The Floor Productions, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> 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. Travis Wall Cut From Break the Floor Dance Company Tour Amid - Yahoo! For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. The AP and the Star haven't seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. 5446 Satsuma Ave, N Hollywood, California, 91601, United States. Whenever I worked with a struggling student, I always reassured them that confronting our shortcomings is not a showing of weakness, it is the beginning of strength. As I 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. A people person? How? Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. 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. Break The Floor Productions. Check! Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. Subscribe to our emails. Yet, I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love and thank them for their patience and grace. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. But it all blew up when Beacham's husband, Kirk, contacted Gil Stroming, owner of Break the Floor Productions, about why the company would cancel the studio's registration to the Jump and Nuvo . Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. The creative type? And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. We know this season will look a little different for now. 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. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. Free and open company data on California (US) company BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC (company number 201329710098), 5446 SATSUMA AVE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, 91601. Break The Floor Productions 6555 Barton Ave., Ste. 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. Lazzarini denied subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances, adding that he would not respond to each and every claim in your forthcoming article that is false, taken out of context or completely exaggerated.. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. Break The Floor Productions: Contact Details and Business Profile While for some of the dancers in this story the sexual interactions were, at the time, consensual, they now feel a power imbalance pressured them into relationships with leaders of the dance world who are many years older than them. 15 reviews. Contact. Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. National News | Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. National News | 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. 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. 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 trying to bring this company down. 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 . Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual harassment that some readers could find distressing. The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. break the floor: Latest News & Videos, Photos about break the floor Break The Floor Productions. An exclusive Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by Break the Floor (a big part of the dance community of North America) coaches over . Location. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. it's worth it! 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. September 17, 2021. Jackie Stroming is a Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions based in N Hollywood, California. 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. 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.. 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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. 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. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Russell Geyser - CEO at Break The Floor Productions | The Org 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. 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. Read More . - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. But the secret ate away at him. Break The Floor Productions is part of the Home Improvement & Hardware Retail industry, and located in California, United States. 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. My resolve is unwavering. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . But the secret ate away at him. 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. 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. National News | Break the Floor dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. Lavallee said he did not tell Stroming or BTF staff about what he alleges happened with either Wall or the other choreographer, saying he thought his concerns would not be taken seriously. 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. He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. The number of employees ranges from 25 to 100. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a298e5fcfbebcbd Who would give someone Ecstacy in their parents home? 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. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. 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. \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":". Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. - And more! Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Looking to travel? Due to the LA lockdown, it took us a little longer to organize. 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. 24 Seven Dance Convention This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. 24 SEVEN Dance Convention is a dance workshop and competition that tours to 27 cities in the United States each season. We understand that some studios and families might not yet feel comfortable attending the in-person workshop. 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. Break The Floors Health & Safety Protocols can be found here: https://www.breakthefloor.com/safety. On all orders over $100! 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 . Home - Break The Floor Travis Wall Dismissed From Tour After Sexual Misconduct Allegations Start of main content. BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC :: California (US) - OpenCorporates Teens who win titles at BTF events are invited back to work on the convention circuit as dance assistants for choreographers on the BTF roster, known internally as faculty.. A post shared by Break The Floor Productions (@breakthefloorprod). 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. 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 . One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. Hudson said he was optimistic. 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. 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. 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. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. Break The Floor Productions. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. 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. 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.. 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. Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming 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. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 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. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. 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. New App with lots of helpful features. Learn More About 24 Seven! Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. Break The Floor Productions General Information. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. That night, they had sex in his apartment. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Break The Floor Productions Salaries - Glassdoor