The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Working at Break The Floor Productions: 15 Reviews - Indeed Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. Upload your resume. 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. 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 . Check! Contact. 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. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. 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.. Floor Productions - Overview, News & Competitors | ZoomInfo.com JUMP is proud to integrate CODA into all its competition. The creative type? Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Arts Apr 20. 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. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. 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. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. 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. Free and open company data on California (US) company BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC (company number 201329710098), 5446 SATSUMA AVE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, 91601. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a298e5fcfbebcbd 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 founder, celebrity dance instructors face sexual misconduct allegations as the prominent company's crisis deepens. 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. Take a look at our available positions: Write a review. Ellis recalled that on the last night of the dance season in May 2017, when Ellis was 21, Lazzarini kissed him while they were out at a club with other staff members. 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. National News | 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. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. 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). Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. 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 . Inside a Manhattan hotel, one of those choreographers Clarke idolized was now propositioning her for sex, she alleges. 11/20/2022 12:38 PM. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Three of these dancers were under 18. Saying Pennsylvania is in the midst of a workforce crisis, Gov. About us. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. 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. It just felt like the next step was for us to be in contact and kiss one another.. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. 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. My Break The Floor | Photo & Video 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. Break The Floor Productions | LinkedIn Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. 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. 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 . My resolve is unwavering. 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. Find top employees, contact details and business statistics at RocketReach. 24Seven 2021. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Im not trying to bring this company down. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. 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's Summer Jam 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 Open Database Of The Corporate World. 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. We understand that some studios and families might not yet feel comfortable attending the in-person workshop. I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. That night, they had sex in his apartment. We know this season will look a little different for now. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. 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. The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! Breaking the silence: Dancers accuse choreographers of sexual Six dancers, including Clarke, allege Lazzarini subjected them to unwanted sexual advances. Break The Floor Productions Company Profile: Funding & Investors I then felt very embarrassed. 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. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. Break The Floor Productions - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. Looking to travel? Break the Floor Productions LLC operates as a dance entertainment company. This salary trends is based on salaries posted anonymously by Break The Floor Productions employees. 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. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. Three of these dancers were under 18. 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. October 25 2021 11:10 AM EST. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. 3 min read. Studio Owners, please contact us to confirm pricing, discounts, and incentives. Employers / Post Job. Operating Status Active. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Start of main content. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. 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 . His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. New York,NY . At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. Our dance studio friends are finding it hard to plan for the new season. NUVO Dance Convention By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza, Associated Press, Morgan Bocknek, Toronto Star . At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out Description. For more than 30 years, Russell has been CEO of numerous companies and run a portfolio of investments in theatrical film production, sports lending, film finance and lending, media buying, and . But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. 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. 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. 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 might just be his lucky break into professional dance. 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. 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. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. 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. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual harassment that some readers could find distressing. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. Film Production. That night, they had sex in his apartment. But the secret ate away at him. Lavallee said they exchanged numbers, and over a few texts and calls, he agreed to become Walls dance assistant. Lonetree alleges Hicks later confronted him, took off Lonetrees headset, and told him to take a walk and come back with the answer I want. Hicks strenuously denies saying this and denies removing Lonetrees headset. Gil Stroming, who recently sold the company he founded more . Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . 15 reviews. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. 2.7. Break the Floor Productions - NYC-ARTS 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. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. . Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. Location. Your IP: but trust us. 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. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. 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). 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. \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":". Break The Floors Health & Safety Protocols can be found here: https://www.breakthefloor.com/safety. 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.. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. Break The Floor - Apps on Google Play Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . Phone Number (706) 217-6462. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. 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 . Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. This allows a dancer or studio to take class from home or at the studio (at the discounted virtual fee). 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. I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. j***@breakthefloor.com. BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! 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. Emmy winning choreographer Travis Wall has been cut from Break the Floor dance company's traveling tours amid an investigation into an accusation of . las vegas, nv. 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. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say - Yahoo! News 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. Find salaries. Famous Break the Floor instructors accused of sexual harassment | The Star 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 . After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. High school student, convention boyfriend. We could have and should have done better, he said. 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. We could have and should have done better. Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. 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. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. One dancer said she met Stroming when she was a 16-year-old high school junior attending one of Break the Floors first events with her parents. Who would give someone Ecstacy in their parents home? Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Pay & Benefits. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. This is quite common in the industry and is used to cover the time and expense Studio Owners incur while organizing, registering and attending these events. A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall). 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. Dancer Nico Lonetree, of Saint Paul, Minn., alleges he was propositioned for oral sex by BTF employee Vincent Hicks via texts while they both worked at the RADIX BTF dance convention on Feb. 11, 2017, in Houston, Texas. 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 . Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. To get a job at Break The Floor Productions, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Etc. 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. Sami Levinbook - Director of Venue Sourcing - Break The Floor Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say Break The Floor Productions Overview | SignalHire Company Profile Who's who in the break the floor investigation. Founders Gil Stroming. Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? 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. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. 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.. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. 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. Stroming was allegedly involved in a series of inappropriate relationships with students of the dance program he was running, according to more than a dozen former staff and students. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. join our mailing list 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. 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. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. Break the Floor Dance Company Investigation 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. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Sign in. 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 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. 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. 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. 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..