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 . A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 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. 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. 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. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. We understand that some studios and families might not yet feel comfortable attending the in-person workshop.
Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) | TikTok Here's what we know about the sexual assault allegations filed against I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. The action you just performed triggered the security solution.
Break the Floor Dance Company Investigation Our goal for this coming season is clear we are going to be holding all events, no matter what, GUARANTEED. 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. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. 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. Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. (US Only) 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.. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. 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. 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. 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. National News | He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. 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. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. Phone Number 818.432.1234. Three of these dancers were under 18. His mental health deteriorated. 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. Allegations and Scandal Update.
Break The Floor Productions LLC Company Profile | Los Angeles, CA Travis Wall Dismissed From Tour After Sexual Misconduct Allegations A people person?
Break The Floor Productions | LinkedIn 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. 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. Our model gets smarter over time as more people share salaries on Glassdoor. Hudson said he was optimistic. 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 . Flat-rate shipping on all physical store items anywhere in the US! Break The Floor Productions. Click to reveal Meismer didn't respond to repeated requests for comment. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career.
Break the Floor dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say 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 . [Winners] get the most attention and respect. 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 . Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. Website. Of the eight allegations made, Wall is only implicated in the one featured in this article- and it happened nearly fourteen years ago. 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.. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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. In the next week, we will be releasing an FAQ that will deal with all other questions. He won the best dancer title in 2014 and worked for BTF for two years as a dance assistant, travelling across Canada and the United States.
CONTACT - Break the Floor Productions He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. Read More. 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. 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. 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. agreed. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Six dancers, including Clarke, allege Lazzarini subjected them to unwanted sexual advances. 15 reviews. At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Jackie Stroming is a Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions based in N Hollywood, California. BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! Dancers can take workshop classes at home or the studio may organize a watch and dance party at their studio. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. Specialties: Event Production Established in 2000. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes.
Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence - The Mercury News Headquarters Regions Greater Los Angeles Area, West Coast, Western US. 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 . Break the Floor has a fervent following. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. 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 next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. 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. Alex Murdaugh will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his wife and son, Colorado election denier Peters guilty of obstruction, US sending bridge-launchers in next Ukraine aid package, Doctor: Lesion removed from Bidens chest was cancerous, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, Brawl forces end of NorCal high school basketball playoff game, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. 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. 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.. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The number of employees ranges from 25 to 100. All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . In a series of text messages between Schaufeld and Wallace, reviewed by the AP and the Star, Schaufeld laid out his accusations and Wallace said that although he couldnt remember anything, he couldnt be more sorry.. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. 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. Not saying it definitely never happened, but I need more proof before Im willing to label Wall or anyone else a predator. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be refunded within 7 business days of the event. 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. If the in-person event is unable to be held, studios and dancers may choose to: Attend the event virtually (for a discounted rate).
Mega dance competition company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say Lazzarini denies subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. 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. 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. 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. Dance studios may apply their own additional administrative fees.
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Company Sold Dream of Fame. Dancers Call It a Nightmare - Newser We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. Break The Floor is a rapid growth company and are always looking for great new people to join our team! The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. The biggest problem facing the dance industry (and everything, quite frankly) is uncertainty. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. We were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now, he said. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. Snapshot; Why Join Us . Company reviews. They provide amazing opportunities. Break The Floor Productions.
COMPETITION INFO - JUMP Dance Convention 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. 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. Etc. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Marci A. Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who founded CHILD USA and is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect its Children, said dance is one of the last forums where adults have unsupervised access to younger students. We know this season will look a little different for now. National News | National News | Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. 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. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . 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. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated.
Break The Floor Productions LLC - Company Profile and News 10 Mar, 2022, 01.17 PM IST. Lavallee called a friend to come over to divert where he said he felt the night was leading. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. 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.
Break The Floor Productions Overview | SignalHire Company Profile New York,NY . Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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.
Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. But after speaking with the AP and the Star in February, Hudson went public and shared his experience in an emotional Instagram video, without naming Meismer. Saying Pennsylvania is in the midst of a workforce crisis, Gov. And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. Stroming did not respond to questions about this incident. 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. Break The Floor Productions General Information. Please know, the Break The Floor team is committed to bringing you the safest, most organized and exceptional events in the dance industry. How? Check! Who is Floor Productions. break the floor Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. Break The Floor Productions is a private company. 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. He was inviting her to his hotel room. So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . 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. The annual revenue of Break The Floor Productions varies between 25M and 100M. Headquarters. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings.
Marci A. Hamilton, a University of Pennsylvania professor who founded CHILD USA and is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect its Children, said dance is one of the last forums where adults have unsupervised access to younger students. 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, though he said he remembered having an inappropriate attraction to Schaufeld.
Break The Floor Productions - Datanyze: Find Business Contact Info for Russell is known for a high level of professionalism in the entertainment industry. Due to the LA lockdown, it took us a little longer to organize. 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. Touring to 16 amazing cities across America and Canada, Break The Floor's SUMMER JAM is a full workshop and competition experience featuring a creative mix of all BTF tours: Jump, NUVO, 24 Seven & Radix! 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.
Break the Floor Productions - NYC-ARTS In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. 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. 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. 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. Your IP: 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.
Home - Break The Floor 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 . Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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. 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. Free and open company data on California (US) company BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC (company number 201329710098), 5446 SATSUMA AVE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, 91601. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. 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 Subscribe to our emails. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram.
Who Is Gil Stroming Break The Floor? Allegations and - Mixedarticle Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Learn More About 24 Seven! Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek. 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 . He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? - See all classes with helpful filters. Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. june 24-july 1. the venetian/palazzo. 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. He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. 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. Company Type For Profit. Thank you. 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. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. Looking to travel? Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better..
Break The Floor Productions Salaries - Glassdoor A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. 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. Button taught at Radix conventions. 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 . 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. 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.
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