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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. That dancer now works for BTF as a choreographer. 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 . Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims Stroming declined repeated interview requests. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. 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.. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. 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. 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. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Lazzarini noticed a tear in Elliss pants and he just shoved his hand up my pants, to which I quickly reacted because I was already embarrassed and didnt need a hand grabbing my genitalia, alleged Ellis. 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 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. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. 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. BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for Break The Floor Productions LLC of Los Angeles, CA. 5446 Satsuma Ave, N Hollywood, California, 91601, United States. He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. Not saying it definitely never happened, but I need more proof before Im willing to label Wall or anyone else a predator. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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. It banned inviting students to hotel rooms and said instructors shouldnt call students their daughter or son. And it encourages discretion online regarding Religion, Social Justice, Discrimination, Politics, Love and Romance, Abuse, Mental Health, Bullying, and Terrorism., The new code of conduct also says educators are considered mandated reporters regarding suspected child abuse: If you witness anything concerning, it is your duty to report it to the appropriate authorities.. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. Finally, 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. 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. 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. To get a job at Break The Floor Productions, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didn't respond to requests for comment. Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years for rape, sexual assault A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. . Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. Dharma Productions shared the news of filming start on the project on the banner's social media handles. 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 . 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. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. It was founded by Gil Stroming (Tap Dancer) in 1999, and today it is one of the most important dance companies in the world, encompassing traveling theater productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate clothing events, real estate production rental studios, software . His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Home - Break The Floor He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. break the floor Blogs, Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com . Break The Floor Productions uses 14 technology products and services including HTML5, jQuery, and Google Analytics, according to G2 Stack. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. Nico Lonetree (left) and Myles Lavallee are among eight dancers who allege they were subjected to sexual harassment or predatory behaviour from staff of the prominent dance company, Break the Floor. 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. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . Performance & security by Cloudflare. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. 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 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. In the next week, we will be releasing an FAQ that will deal with all other questions. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. 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. September 17, 2021. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. October 25 2021 2:20 PM EST. Lavallee also said that Wall gave him ecstasy that night. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. Floor Productions - Overview, News & Competitors | ZoomInfo.com Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. Travis Wall Cut From Break the Floor Dance Company Tour Amid - Yahoo! He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. Hudson said he was optimistic. Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . 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. All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . Headquarters Regions Greater Los Angeles Area, West Coast, Western US. For payroll inquiries: payroll@breakthefloor.com For accounting inquiries: accounting@breakthefloor.com For human resources: hr@breakthefloor.com For general information about our dance programs: info@breakthefloor.com But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. Our dance studio friends are finding it hard to plan for the new season. but trust us. A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . Discover jobs. Headquarters. Receive a full refund within 7 business days 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. Break the Floor (who is bringing in a third party to launch an investigation into the accusation lobbied against Wall) said in a story on the companys Instagram page on Friday Travis will not be traveling with BTF until weve had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations,going on to say We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary.For his own part, Wall told the Star through his publicist thatthe accusations against me are false, but has not commented on on being cut from Break the Floors tour due to the accusations. 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. Attendees squeeze into small ballrooms where choreographers teach classes. 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. 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. I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). Break the Floor Productions Jan 2015 - Aug 2019 4 years 8 months. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . 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. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. 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. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. 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. 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. - And more! 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. Studio Owners, please contact us to confirm pricing, discounts, and incentives. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. 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. Three of these dancers were under 18. Sign in. This story was reported as a partnership between The Associated Press and the Toronto Star, The company was launched 22 years ago by a charismatic dancer, Gil Stroming, who came to fame in the 1990s, performing in the off-Broadway show Tap Dogs, described in The New York Times as a beefcake tap-a-thon.. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out Break The Floor Productions. 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. 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. 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. He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who wasn't with Break the Floor at the time, but would go on to run one of its subsidiary conventions. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say 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 AV Technician Hourly Pay Ellis said Stroming peppered him with questions. Lavallee caught the attention of Wall an Emmy winner and So You Think You Can Dance runner-up who was judging his performance at a BTF competition in the summer of 2008, Lavallee said. (US Only) Parents sue Tomball dance studio - Chron Its the opposite of a zero tolerance policy, Ellis said. 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. 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 totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. Break The Floor Productions | LinkedIn Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. 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. It has been humbling. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. Since then, Break The Floor has become one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. Email. Break The Floor LIVE | Virtual Dance Convention - YouTube las vegas, nv. 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. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. Gil Stroming, who recently sold the company he founded more . I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. 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. Travis has made some great dance routines and is a great dancer. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. 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 . A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. Lonetree said he recounted the alleged exchange to Stroming. Break The Floor Productions - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding Subscribe to our emails. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. Legal Name Break The Floor Productions. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. 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. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. Break The Floor Productions Company Profile: Funding & Investors \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":". 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. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. But the secret ate away at him. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Company reviews. 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. We understand that some studios and families might not yet feel comfortable attending the in-person workshop. Two-time Emmy-winning choreographer and So You Think You Can Dance star Travis Wall has been taken off of the Break the Floor dance company's tours after allegations . 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. (The Star has not seen the now-deleted text from Lazzarini, but has spoken with two people with whom Clarke shared or discussed the message). The AP and the Star spoke to the dancers father, who said that in the years following, she told him about these sexual interactions with Stroming, which left her deeply upset. 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. 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. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Break The Floor is a rapid growth company and are always looking for great new people to join our team! Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . Lonetree was 19. Competition routines will be uploaded to our website and judged virtually. 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. Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. 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. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. We will be limiting attendance, working with our venue partners to increase ballroom space and implementing health procedures and guidelines to be able to offer the safest environment for our attendees. 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. 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 . Button taught at Radix conventions. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. Break the Floor Dance Company Investigation 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. join our mailing list They provide amazing opportunities. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 15 reviews. 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). 11/20/2022 12:38 PM. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Break The Floor Productions General Information. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 100,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. 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. Here is how it will work: JUMP, NUVO & 24 Seven will be planning all events, in-person, for the upcoming season. Snapshot; Why Join Us . Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation Jobs - Break The Floor 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. 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. www.floorproductionsllc.com. Break The Floor Productions 5446 Satsuma Ave North Hollywood, CA 91601 jam . We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. 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. 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 The largest room is reserved for the main stage, where at many events, aspiring dancers perform showcases and compete for the title of best dancer.. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely . I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. 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. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. NUVO Dance Convention Click to reveal I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> Here's what we know about the sexual assault allegations filed against 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.