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. Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. Break The Floor Productions. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. Hudson said he was optimistic. 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. 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 . In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. 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. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. 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. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. Thank you. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. The annual revenue of Break The Floor Productions varies between 25M and 100M. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. Lonetree said he recounted the alleged exchange to Stroming. 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 didn't respond to the specific allegations. High school student, convention boyfriend. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. 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. Six dancers, including Clarke, allege Lazzarini subjected them to unwanted sexual advances. Read More . 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. 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.. Gil Stroming, who recently sold the company he founded more . Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. Now is the time for continued open dialogue, soul searching, and decisive action towards making amends. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. The Company encompasses dance workshops, competitions, touring theatrical and video . The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 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 . 165.8K Followers. 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. Dharma Productions shared the news of filming start on the project on the banner's social media handles. . BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. 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). Its headquarters is located at New York, New York, USA. We could have and should have done better. Find salaries. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. 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. 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 . I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a298e5fcfbebcbd Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. 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. 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. 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). With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 100,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. When Ellis explained that he recoiled before Lazzarini actually touched his genitals, he alleges Stroming declared it wasnt actually sexual harassment because he didnt actually touch me.. When I began teaching dance, I did so with the singular goal of helping individuals discover, develop, and express their truest selves. He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. 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. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. 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. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. Please know, the Break The Floor team is committed to bringing you the safest, most organized and exceptional events in the dance industry. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. - And more! 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. Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. 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. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. 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. Button taught at Radix conventions. Your IP: I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. Eventually, Lazzarini began to avoid her at dance conventions, Clarke said, and this made her anxious, as she feared he was in a position to impede her career. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven will host a virtual event, specific to the event and city, and broadcast from our studios in Los Angeles. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. Break the Floor founder, celebrity dance instructors face sexual misconduct allegations as the prominent company's crisis deepens. But the secret ate away at him. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. 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. Meismer didn't respond to repeated requests for comment. Lavallee called a friend to come over to divert where he said he felt the night was leading. 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. I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. 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. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. We are working on our competition entry limits for each event and will announce them soon. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. Location. 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 . We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. 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. 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. As I embark on a path of repentance, I will use the platform I have been given to do better in the future and to help others get it right too. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didn't respond to requests for comment. 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. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. The company currently specializes in the Entertainment area. 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. 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. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. Yet, I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love and thank them for their patience and grace. 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. 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. That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. Break The Floor Productions uses 14 technology products and services including HTML5, jQuery, and Google Analytics, according to G2 Stack. 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. 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. Not saying it definitely never happened, but I need more proof before Im willing to label Wall or anyone else a predator. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. It has been humbling. Greater Los Angeles Area Event Planner Break the Floor Productions Jan 2012 - Aug 2019 7 years 8 months. My resolve is unwavering. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 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. In summer 2018, about two years after Ellis approached Stroming about Lazzarinis conduct, 17-year-old Zeke Lindsey met Lazzarini and began taking his classes. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for Break The Floor Productions LLC of Los Angeles, CA. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. Snapshot; Why Join Us . That night, they had sex in his apartment. Hudson said he was optimistic. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. Specialties: Event Production Established in 2000. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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. A typical convention weekend lasts from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon and features dance classes with some of the world's leading dance educators. 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.. 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. Stroming did not respond to questions about Elliss allegations. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. Many students endured inappropriate sexual advances or comments from their instructors, Uchida said. 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 number of employees ranges from 25 to 100. We were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now, he 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. 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. His mental health deteriorated. Break The Floor Productions. 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.. 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. Founded Date 1999. By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza, Associated Press, Morgan Bocknek, Toronto Star . Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Our dance studio friends are finding it hard to plan for the new season. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before.

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