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. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Break The Floor Productions General Information. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. Lazzarini would laugh and smile and would play it lighthearted so as to not take on the full responsibility of what he was doing, said Ellis. Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. What if we plan on it and they are cancelled again? Im not trying to bring this company down. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. Subscribe to our emails. 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. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Teens who win titles at BTF events are invited back to work on the convention circuit as dance assistants for choreographers on the BTF roster, known internally as faculty.. National News | 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. 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. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. 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. . 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. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Contact. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. On all orders over $100! Russell is known for a high level of professionalism in the entertainment industry. Home - Break The Floor break the floor: Latest News & Videos, Photos about break the floor 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. Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. 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. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be refunded within 7 business days of the event. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> Greater Los Angeles Area Event Planner Break the Floor Productions Jan 2012 - Aug 2019 7 years 8 months. 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. 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. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. Sign in. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. Three of these dancers were under 18. 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. The annual revenue of Break The Floor Productions varies between 25M and 100M. 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 . A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. This allows a dancer or studio to take class from home or at the studio (at the discounted virtual fee). When I began teaching dance, I did so with the singular goal of helping individuals discover, develop, and express their truest selves. Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . Contact Email info@breakthefloor.com. 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. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. Break The Floor Productions. That dancer now works for BTF as a choreographer. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. The incentive is a tax credit designed to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the growing . Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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. Related Articles 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. Lonetree said he recounted the alleged exchange to Stroming. We are committed to making studios and families feel confident and secure when registering for our events. 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. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for Break The Floor Productions LLC of Los Angeles, CA. Break The Floor Productions Overview | SignalHire Company Profile Check! Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. Description. 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. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. \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 Floor is a rapid growth company and are always looking for great new people to join our team! That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. This salary trends is based on salaries posted anonymously by Break The Floor Productions employees. A post shared by Break The Floor Productions (@breakthefloorprod). In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. High school student, convention boyfriend. 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. Lets be responsible journalists, shall we? 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. 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, said Uchida, who alleges in 2015 he had a six-month consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini when he was 19 and Lazzarini was 31. Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions 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. The alleged victims story is shaky at best. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. Take a look at our available positions: CONTACT - Break the Floor Productions To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. Break The Floor Productions - Tech Stack, Apps, Patents & Trademarks The Open Database Of The Corporate World. break the floor Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Break The Floor Productions is a private company. 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. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. 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. Others did make allegations about BTF staff to owner and CEO Stroming, but their concerns were dismissed, allege two former staffers who say they were harassed on the job. 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 . In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. 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. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. join our mailing list 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. Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? Break The Floor Productions AV Technician Hourly Pay Break the Floor Productions Jan 2015 - Aug 2019 4 years 8 months. Break The Floor Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. Operator of dance entertainment company committed to creating a dance culture. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Break the Floor offers dance workshops, contests, touring theatrical productions, picture and video production, corporate events . Arts Apr 20. Travis Wall Sexual Misconduct Accusation, Cut From Break the Floor He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Our goal for this coming season is clear we are going to be holding all events, no matter what, GUARANTEED. 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. 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. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. 550 Los Angeles, CA 90038 818.432.1234 info@breakthefloor.com. 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. It has been humbling. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. 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. 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.. Learn More About 24 Seven! Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. A people person? 10 Mar, 2022, 01.17 PM IST. Due to the LA lockdown, it took us a little longer to organize. I was naive, and I was just letting it all happen, Lindsey said. 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. Location. 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. 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. We could have and should have done better, he said. 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.. FREE Shipping. Sign in. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. Payment Terms for the 2020-2021 Season: The registration deadline will remain 30 days prior to the events, however payment will not need to be made until 14 days prior. 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. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say - Yahoo! News But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. . He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. 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. I then felt very embarrassed. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. We could have and should have done better. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. 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. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. 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. What will the in-person events look like? Allegations and Scandal Update. Lavallee said he made it clear he was not interested in a sexual relationship. But the secret ate away at him. 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. Check! Please know, the Break The Floor team is committed to bringing you the safest, most organized and exceptional events in the dance industry. 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. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? 3 min read. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. 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. On Oct. 1, BTF kicked off its fall season with an event in Toronto at an airport hotel. 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. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. Can a dancer do the scholarship audition through a virtual event? 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. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. To get a job at Break The Floor Productions, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. 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.. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. 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. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. 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. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! 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 . Contact. In the next week, we will be releasing an FAQ that will deal with all other questions. He worked at a convention in Minneapolis, Minn., where he alleges a 31-year-old Lazzarini groped him. Email. 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. 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. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. LOS ANGELES Every year, one of the worlds 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. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. break the floor Blogs, Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com . Description. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. Button taught at Radix conventions. 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. National News | My resolve is unwavering. Of the eight allegations made, Wall is only implicated in the one featured in this article- and it happened nearly fourteen years ago. The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek | Associated Press and Toronto Star. Break The Floor Productions Employee Reviews in Los Angeles, CA - Indeed 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. www.floorproductionsllc.com. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. Three of these dancers were under 18. Flat-rate shipping on all physical store items anywhere in the US! Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. Find salaries. 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.. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Break The Floor Productions: Contact Details and Business Profile 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. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . Read More. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Floor Productions - Overview, News & Competitors | ZoomInfo.com While for some of the dancers in this story the sexual interactions were, at the time, consensual, they now feel a power imbalance pressured them into relationships with leaders of the dance world who are many years older than them. Break The Floor Productions Company Profile: Funding & Investors Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. 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. A Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by BTF coaches over their younger students, where dancers say their complaints of inappropriate conduct have been dismissed by the companys owner, letting the problem fester for years. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. Follow. Break The Floor Productions. - See all classes with helpful filters. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Saying Pennsylvania is in the midst of a workforce crisis, Gov. Write a review. October 25 2021 2:20 PM EST. National News |