Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. Russell is known for a high level of professionalism in the entertainment industry. 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. How? 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 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. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. 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 . 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 . I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. . It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. 185.120.77.169 Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence - The Mercury News Susan Kao illustration with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, John Lamparski/Getty Images, Broderick Baumann and ngel Vasquez, VIDEO OF BTF EVENT, OCT. 14, 2018: NICO LONETREE/@NICOGOOFS. 24Seven 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.. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Gil Stroming, who recently sold the company he founded more . [Winners] get the most attention and respect. Break the Floor Productions Jan 2015 - Aug 2019 4 years 8 months. 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. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. 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. Gabriel who has performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more was recently removed from the JUMP faculty. - See all classes with helpful filters. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. National News | Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. 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.. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Read More . 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. 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). 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. 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.. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. 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. FREE Shipping. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. 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 . This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. 2.7 out of 5 stars. - Interactive venue and exhibit hall map. . Snapshot; Why Join Us . Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. 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. Travis Wall Cut From Break the Floor Dance Company Tour Amid - Yahoo! He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? 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. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. 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. Company Sold Dream of Fame. Dancers Call It a Nightmare - Newser Break The Floor's Summer Jam Dancers say leading company bred culture of, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence, California teacher who gave birth to child fathered by student hit with another sexual abuse lawsuit, Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims, Man convicted of California rapes that attorney blamed on defendants twin, San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out, Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years for rape, sexual assault. It just felt like the next step was for us to be in contact and kiss one another.. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. In the text conversation, Hicks told Lonetree, I have a blow job with your name on it. Lonetree brushed off Hickss propositions over text, the texts show. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual harassment that some readers could find distressing. We are truly heartbroken that anyone has been subject to inappropriate behaviour by any person associated with Break The Floor, the statement read. By the mid-2000s, dance exploded into the mainstream with the debuts of popular television shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. The 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. Break The Floor Productions is actively using 50 technologies for its website, according to BuiltWith. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 100,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . 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. Lets be responsible journalists, shall we? 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. Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. Gabriel, another famous dancer and choreographer, allegedly sent a nude photo on Snapchat to a 16-year-old dancer who says she was so horrified she threw her phone across the room. Find top employees, contact details and business statistics at RocketReach. About us. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. Break The Floor Productions Company Profile: Funding & Investors Break The Floor LIVE | Virtual Dance Convention - YouTube 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. 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. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. A post shared by MYLES LAVALLE (@myleslavallee). 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. Home - Break The Floor Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Looking to travel? Jackie Stroming Email & Phone Number - Break Th.. | ZoomInfo 11/20/2022 12:38 PM. 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). Lonetree said he recounted the alleged exchange to Stroming. 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. Lazzarini denies subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! 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. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Specialties: Event Production Established in 2000. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. 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. 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. Allegations and Scandal Update. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . National News | 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. 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.. 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. Phone Number 818.432.1234. Break The Floor Competition Code - CODES By Break The Floor BTF has undergone training and revised its code of conduct, the company said in a statement. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. 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 - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. Break The Floor Productions Pay & Benefits reviews - Indeed Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a298e5fcfbebcbd Break the Floor offers dance workshops, contests, touring theatrical productions, picture and video production, corporate events . Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? 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 . Learn how to leverage transparent company data at scale. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say My resolve is unwavering. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. 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. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. Break The Floor is a rapid growth company and are always looking for great new people to join our team! The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. 24 SEVEN Dance Convention is a dance workshop and competition that tours to 27 cities in the United States each season. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. Break The Floor Productions 5446 Satsuma Ave North Hollywood, CA 91601 jam . 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 didnt respond to the specific allegations. 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 . 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. Break The Floor Productions Employee Reviews in Los Angeles, CA - Indeed Website. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. 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. 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. las vegas, nv. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. j***@breakthefloor.com. 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.. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. Upload your resume. Flat-rate shipping on all physical store items anywhere in the US! Travis Wall Sexual Misconduct Accusation, Cut From Break the Floor Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. Its headquarters is located at New York, New York, USA. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Pay & Benefits. Who is Floor Productions. 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. All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer., In a statement, Lazzarini apologized to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth.. 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. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. Break The Floor Productions is a private company. Headquarters. At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. Break The Floor Productions Salaries - Glassdoor 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. Competition routines will be uploaded to our website and judged virtually. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. Legal Name Break The Floor Productions. 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.. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. Free and open company data on California (US) company BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC (company number 201329710098), 5446 SATSUMA AVE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, 91601. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. Learn More About 24 Seven! The Company encompasses dance workshops, competitions, touring theatrical and video . This salary trends is based on salaries posted anonymously by Break The Floor Productions employees. October 25 2021 2:20 PM EST. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Lonetree was 19. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. CONTACT - Break the Floor Productions 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. All rights reserved. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. His mental health deteriorated. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. 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 . He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. The number of employees ranges from 25 to 100. This will be a real. 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. Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio.