24Seven 2021. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions Many students endured inappropriate sexual advances or comments from their instructors, Uchida said. What if we plan on it and they are cancelled again? In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Break the Floor dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. She said once she turned 18, Gabriel, 29 at that time in 2017, invited her to his hotel room in a text message with a shirtless photo. 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 Productions. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. Read More . 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 . Greater Los Angeles Area Event Planner Break the Floor Productions Jan 2012 - Aug 2019 7 years 8 months. 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. I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence - The Mercury News 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.. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. 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. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Mega dance competition company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. 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.. Can a dancer do the scholarship audition through a virtual event? Check! join our mailing list Break The Floor LIVE | Virtual Dance Convention - YouTube Shapiro aims tax break at police officers, teachers, nurses Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . 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. The lawsuit and its disturbing allegations have rocked the ballet world, one populated by young dancers most of them girls who train under exacting instructors in hopes of reaching the top . He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. 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. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . We could have and should have done better, he said. Headquarters. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Website. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. 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. This salary trends is based on salaries posted anonymously by Break The Floor Productions employees. If the in-person event is unable to be held, studios and dancers may choose to: Attend the event virtually (for a discounted rate). Break The Floor Productions | LinkedIn confront my own shortcomings, I vow to take every step necessary to turn them into the very strengths I will use to help empower and protect others. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Lets be responsible journalists, shall we? 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. 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. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. 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. Contact. Six dancers, including Clarke, allege Lazzarini subjected them to unwanted sexual advances. 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. 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. We understand that some studios and families might not yet feel comfortable attending the in-person workshop. Isla Clarke was 16 when she alleges she received a nude photo texted by one of North Americas most famous dance choreographers, a man nearly twice her age. They provide amazing opportunities. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Dharma Productions shared the news of filming start on the project on the banner's social media handles. 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. Lavallee also revealed to The Star that Wall gave him ecstasy that night, and we were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now. Lavallee told the Star he invited a friend to come over to divert where he felt the night was going and a few months later, Wall ceased all communication with him and didnt show up for a scheduled teaching session. Dancer Isla Clarke, seen here performing in June 2021, alleges she was propositioned for sex by a choreographer nearly twice her age when she competed at a Break the Floor dance competition at age 16. 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. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. Once on the convention circuit, children as young as five years old and teens spend entire weekends, from early morning to sometimes past midnight in hotel ballrooms and convention centres. 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. San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Break The Floor Productions Employee Reviews in Los Angeles, CA - Indeed 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. 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. Our goal for this coming season is clear we are going to be holding all events, no matter what, GUARANTEED. Contact. - See all classes with helpful filters. All of our in-person events will now have a virtual option. 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. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Soon after, Lavallee, then 16, attended a hotel-room party in California where he said Wall, who was around 20, gave him crystal meth a highly addictive stimulant so he could stay awake for his flight back home to Arizona. break the floor Blogs, Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com . Follow. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. 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. 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. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) | TikTok To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Working at Break The Floor Productions | Glassdoor Break the Floor Productions is one of the worlds preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. A 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. They typically end with parents on the sidelines shooting photos of their beaming children in leotards and makeup, striking poses alongside famous choreographers and dancers. Break The Floor Productions - Tech Stack, Apps, Patents & Trademarks JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven will host a virtual event, specific to the event and city, and broadcast from our studios in Los Angeles. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. New York,NY . 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. Click to reveal 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. Emmy winning choreographer Travis Wall has been cut from Break the Floor dance company's traveling tours amid an investigation into an accusation of . 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. . On all orders over $100! 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. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. 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. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. He is no longer with the company, according to 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 . Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. 165.8K Followers. Read More. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. He said he felt punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Headquarters Regions Greater Los Angeles Area, West Coast, Western US. Find salaries. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. Break The Floor Productions Company Profile: Funding & Investors A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. The whole story seems fishy. A people person? 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 . 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. Travis Wall Dismissed From Tour After Sexual Misconduct Allegations 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. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. 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. 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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.. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. Please know, the Break The Floor team is committed to bringing you the safest, most organized and exceptional events in the dance industry. Button taught at Radix conventions. Etc. Hudson said he was optimistic. Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? Arts Apr 20. National News | Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. 2.7. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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.. Home - Break The Floor 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. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. 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. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 24 Seven Dance Convention 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. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Allegations of sexual misconduct first hit the dance company in October, when the Toronto Star revealed allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Break the Floor instructors. . Break The Floor Productions Email Format & Employee Directory | ContactOut Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. Break The Floor Productions. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. 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 . Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. Film Production. 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. july 8-15. hyatt regency orlando. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. 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. 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.. She said once she turned 18, Gabriel, 29 at that time in 2017, invited her to his hotel room in a text message with a shirtless photo. Start of main content. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors.