But the secret ate away at him. Contact. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. If the in-person event is unable to be held, studios and dancers may choose to: Attend the event virtually (for a discounted rate). On Oct. 1, BTF kicked off its fall season with an event in Toronto at an airport hotel. Can a dancer do the scholarship audition through a virtual event? Man convicted of California rapes that attorney blamed on defendants twin Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. Check! Start of main content. 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 . Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. Break The Floor Productions 6555 Barton Ave., Ste. Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for Break The Floor Productions LLC of Los Angeles, CA. Allegations and Scandal Update. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. In a series of text messages between Schaufeld and Wallace, reviewed by the AP and the Star, Schaufeld laid out his accusations and Wallace said that although he couldnt remember anything, he couldnt be more sorry.. Film Production. 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. Sign in. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Break The Floor Productions. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didn't respond to requests for comment. 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. 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. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. 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. 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. Yet, I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love and thank them for their patience and grace. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. it's worth it! Dharma Productions shared the news of filming start on the project on the banner's social media handles. 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. Competition routines will be uploaded to our website and judged virtually. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. Gil Stromings company capitalized on all of that studio growth, an industry that reached about $4 billion in value by 2021, employing more than 120,000 people, according to market research from analysts at IbisWorld. Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. - See all classes with helpful filters. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. 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. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. 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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. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. 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. 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. Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! 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. 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.. Break The Floor Productions is a private company. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. 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. Phone Number (706) 217-6462. 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. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. Lets be responsible journalists, shall we? - And more! 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. FREE Shipping. 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. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. 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. A typical convention weekend lasts from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon and features dance classes with some of the world's leading dance educators. 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. All of our in-person events will now have a virtual option. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . break the floor Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . 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. Looking to travel? One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. 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 Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. 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. That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. This salary trends is based on salaries posted anonymously by Break The Floor Productions employees. CODA is Break The Floor's innovative online system of style specific score sheets, video tutorials, data analytics and judge training. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Break The Floor Productions LLC. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. Its headquarters is located at New York, New York, USA. National News | Six dancers, including Clarke, allege Lazzarini subjected them to unwanted sexual advances. Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. Company reviews. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. 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. A post shared by Break The Floor Productions (@breakthefloorprod). Break The Floor Productions. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. He won the best dancer title in 2014 and worked for BTF for two years as a dance assistant, travelling across Canada and the United States. 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. Description. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. On all orders over $100! National News | Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. join our mailing list And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. 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 . If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . Flat-rate shipping on all physical store items anywhere in the US! Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. We could have and should have done better, he said. 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. 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. The whole story seems fishy. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. Many students endured inappropriate sexual advances or comments from their instructors, Uchida said. 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. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? 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. Travis has made some great dance routines and is a great dancer. 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. 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. Through transparency, integrity, and professionalism, we believe we can become a model throughout the dance industry. 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. 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. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . Hudson said he was optimistic. Free and open company data on California (US) company BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC (company number 201329710098), 5446 SATSUMA AVE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, 91601. Etc. Break The Floor is a rapid growth company and are always looking for great new people to join our team! He was inviting her to his hotel room. 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. 5446 Satsuma Ave, N Hollywood, California, 91601, United States. agreed. A people person? 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. 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. I totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. 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. Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. The alleged victims story is shaky at best. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. The creative type? 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. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. 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. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. Thank you. 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. 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. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. The next summer, Ellis said he approached Stroming at the Dance Awards, the biggest BTF event of the season, to tell him how Lazzarini had harassed him. Hudson 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. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Follow. 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 . 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 . Operating Status Active. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. Founded Date 1999. Learn More About 24 Seven! Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . 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. Learn how to leverage transparent company data at scale. \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":". He apologized and said he himself was a victim of abuse as a teen, and that his texts to Maples were a one time ever brief exchange.. Break The Floor Productions General Information. They provide amazing opportunities. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. I felt very invalidated, Ellis 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..