break the floor productions

Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. 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. 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. 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. They provide amazing opportunities. 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. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. 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. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. Sign in. 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. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. For payroll inquiries: [email protected] For accounting inquiries: [email protected] For human resources: [email protected] For general information about our dance programs: [email protected] All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . 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 . They provide amazing opportunities. 11/20/2022 12:38 PM. Etc. 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. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. 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. About us. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. On Oct. 1, BTF kicked off its fall season with an event in Toronto at an airport hotel. Allegations of sexual misconduct first hit the dance company in October, when the Toronto Starrevealed allegationsof widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Break the Floor instructors. 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. The combination of hyper-sexual dance content and the close contact between adult teachers and the young dancers creates an atmosphere ripe for abuse, said Jamal Story, a professional dancer who is co-chair of the National Dance Committee for The Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. He said he felt punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. The company currently specializes in the Entertainment area. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. 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. Read More . 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. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. Lavalee stated that he felt he was being groomed for a sexual relationship and that he was now being punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. 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. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Take a look at our available positions: The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! What will the in-person events look like? Contact. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. 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.. but trust us. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. Flat-rate shipping on all physical store items anywhere in the US! Inside a Manhattan hotel, one of those choreographers Clarke idolized was now propositioning her for sex, she alleges. 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. 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. Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. 15 reviews. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. Three of these dancers were under 18. Company Type For Profit. Man convicted of California rapes that attorney blamed on defendants twin I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. September 17, 2021. Allegations and Scandal Update. Discover jobs. Break The Floor Productions, LLC is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. Break The Floors Health & Safety Protocols can be found here: https://www.breakthefloor.com/safety. 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. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. I carry so much shame, because I knew who this person was I still indulged in the attention anyways, and it made me feel super icky. The Open Database Of The Corporate World. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. july 8-15. hyatt regency orlando. Break The Floor Productions. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. It just felt like the next step was for us to be in contact and kiss one another.. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Not saying it definitely never happened, but I need more proof before Im willing to label Wall or anyone else a predator. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. 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). 24Seven 2021. Founded Date 1999. 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. 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. Who's who in the break the floor investigation. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek | Associated Press and Toronto Star. We could have and should have done better, he said. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. 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. 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. Dharma Productions shared the news of filming start on the project on the banner's social media handles. The alleged victims story is shaky at best. At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. Website. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. 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. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. 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. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didn't respond to requests for comment. las vegas, nv. Break The Floor Productions 5446 Satsuma Ave North Hollywood, CA 91601 jam . But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. 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.. Who would give someone Ecstacy in their parents home? 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. Phone Number (706) 217-6462. It has been humbling. 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 . Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Ellis said Stroming peppered him with questions. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. My resolve is unwavering. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Instinct Magazine 2023 - All Rights Reserved. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. I totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video production and apparel.Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . Lavallee said they exchanged numbers, and over a few texts and calls, he agreed to become Walls dance assistant. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. agreed. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. On all orders over $100! 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.. 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. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven will host a virtual event, specific to the event and city, and broadcast from our studios in Los Angeles. 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. What if we plan on it and they are cancelled again? His mental health deteriorated. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. This salary trends is based on salaries posted anonymously by Break The Floor Productions employees. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. In the next week, we will be releasing an FAQ that will deal with all other questions. 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. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. 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. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . 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. Studio Owners, please contact us to confirm pricing, discounts, and incentives. 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 is a dance workshop and competition that tours to 27 cities in the United States each season. 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. 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. 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.. 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 problems date back to the founding of Los Angeles-based Break The Floor Productions; as the company has grown into an industry powerhouse, its leaders perpetuated a culture of sex and silence . With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely responsible for the transformation of dance entertainment. 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 . Stroming declined repeated interview requests. 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. Operator of dance entertainment company committed to creating a dance culture. The next summer, Ellis said he approached Stroming at the Dance Awards, the biggest BTF event of the season, to tell him how Lazzarini had harassed him. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! Now is the time for continued open dialogue, soul searching, and decisive action towards making amends. 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. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Our dance studio friends are finding it hard to plan for the new season. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. Hudson said he was optimistic. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely . 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. High school student, convention boyfriend. The Company encompasses dance workshops, competitions, touring theatrical and video . All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. 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. 5446 Satsuma Ave, N Hollywood, California, 91601, United States. 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. Read More. 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. . The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. 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. Description. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. I dont think I was aware of how manipulated I was and how easy it was for (Lazzarini) to take advantage of the situation, Lindsey said. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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. BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! I then felt very embarrassed. In a statement, BTF Productions said, For some time, we have taken substantial steps to ensure BTF is the safe and comfortable environment that our attendees and employees deserve and expect.. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. Looking to travel? 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.. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Contact Email [email protected]. www.floorproductionsllc.com. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. 2.7 out of 5 stars. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. National News | Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Pay & Benefits. (US Only) Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. 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. 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. 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. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. 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. 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. Headquarters. Lonetree said he was soon after moved to a different convention, which he said made him feel like he had to start over and establish himself with a new team. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. 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 . break the floor Blogs, Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com . 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. 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 . In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. 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. 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. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. We understand that some studios and families might not yet feel comfortable attending the in-person workshop. 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. 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 didnt respond to the specific allegations. Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. 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. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual harassment that some readers could find distressing. BTF has undergone training and revised its code of conduct, the company said in a statement. Lavallee also said that Wall gave him ecstasy that night. Break The Floor Productions. 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 . In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. 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. Arts Apr 20. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. j***@breakthefloor.com. Dancers can take workshop classes at home or the studio may organize a watch and dance party at their studio. Through transparency, integrity, and professionalism, we believe we can become a model throughout the dance industry. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. 10 Mar, 2022, 01.17 PM IST. 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. 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. October 25 2021 11:10 AM EST. Meismer didn't respond to repeated requests for comment. 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 6555 Barton Ave., Ste. National News | Gil Stroming, who recently sold the company he founded more . She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Break the Floor offers dance workshops, contests, touring theatrical productions, picture and video production, corporate events . He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada.

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