11/20/2022 12:38 PM. Take a look at our available positions: A year or so later, shortly after her 18th birthday, Stroming flew the dancer to New York, where he told her he had lined up potentially career-launching dance auditions, she says. Jackie Stroming's Phone Number and Email Last Update. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Ellis recalled that on the last night of the dance season in May 2017, when Ellis was 21, Lazzarini kissed him while they were out at a club with other staff members. Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims Break The Floor Productions Employee Reviews in Los Angeles, CA - Indeed In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. National News | 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. Not saying it definitely never happened, but I need more proof before Im willing to label Wall or anyone else a predator. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. 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. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. Here's what we know about the sexual assault allegations filed against Learn More About 24 Seven! 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. Start of main content. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. 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.. 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. Hicks said he sought therapy and a sexual treatment course in an effort to hold myself accountable and also deal with the feelings of feeling like I had wronged him in that way when that was never my intention. Who is Floor Productions. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. 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. Emmy winning choreographer Travis Wall has been suspended from Break the Floor dance company's traveling tours amid an investigation into an accusation of sexually inappropriate behavior made . 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. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. 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 . 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. 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. Dance studios may apply their own additional administrative fees. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. Break The Floor's Summer Jam Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. Dancers repeatedly described feeling sexualized in their learning space, and multiple dancers said they felt leered at by some choreographers who would message them compliments on their appearance, sometimes immediately following classes. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. 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. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say - Yahoo! News The Open Database Of The Corporate World. 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. 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. National News | We could have and should have done better. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! 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. About five years later, Lavallee, who now works as a professional dancer and choreographer, told his mother, Wendy, about everything that happened between him and the two older choreographers. Description. 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. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. My resolve is unwavering. 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.. Of the eight allegations made, Wall is only implicated in the one featured in this article- and it happened nearly fourteen years ago. Who's who in the break the floor investigation. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. 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.. 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. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. 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).Break The Floor puts on performances and hosts dance schools across the United States & has said that . Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Can a dancer do the scholarship audition through a virtual event? 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.. 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. The Company encompasses dance workshops, competitions, touring theatrical and video . Awards ceremonies will be broadcast live immediately following the competition. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. Russell Geyser - CEO at Break The Floor Productions | The Org 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. <style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> 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. One of those dancers was Patrick Ellis, who alleges that he told Break the Floors CEO, Gil Stroming, that Lazzarini had stuffed his hand up through a hole in Elliss pants and tried to fondle him. 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. About two decades ago, when she was a dance teacher accompanying her students to a Break the Floor event, she said she refused Stromings $500 offer to join him in his hotel room. Company Sold Dream of Fame. Dancers Call It a Nightmare - Newser The annual revenue of Break The Floor Productions varies between 25M and 100M. Lavallee also said that Wall gave him ecstasy that night. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. Write a review. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. it's worth it! Breaking the silence: Dancers accuse choreographers of sexual 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. 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. 185.120.77.169 Home - Break The Floor High school student, convention boyfriend. October 25 2021 11:10 AM EST. - See show line-ups. Break The Floor Productions AV Technician Hourly Pay Travis has made some great dance routines and is a great dancer. 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. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? 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. Founded Date 1999. 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. 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. However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. For payroll inquiries: [email protected] For accounting inquiries: [email protected] For human resources: [email protected] For general information about our dance programs: [email protected] 550 Los Angeles, CA 90038 818.432.1234 [email protected]. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. 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. 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. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. Break The Floor Productions Overview | SignalHire Company Profile His picture and profile disappeared from the website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. 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. Break the Floor has a fervent following. 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. Looking to travel? How? Photos: Break the Floor, Joe Corrigan/Getty Images, Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Beau Campbell, Miss Toto Rodgers, KiLeigh Williams, ngel Vasquez, Lee Gumbs, Broderick Baumann. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. Find salaries. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. 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 . He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. 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. Yet, I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love and thank them for their patience and grace. Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions . Find top employees, contact details and business statistics at RocketReach. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Headquarters. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Founders Gil Stroming. 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. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 100,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . 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. Break The Floor Productions is part of the Home Improvement & Hardware Retail industry, and located in California, United States. 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. 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 - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions Hudson said he was optimistic. At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. 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. Wall did not respond to detailed questions sent by The Star, and said only the accusations against me are false, in a statement through a publicist. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. Check! Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Russell is known for a high level of professionalism in the entertainment industry. Break The Floor Productions Company Profile: Funding & Investors orlando, fl. The incentive is a tax credit designed to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the growing . I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Instinct Magazine 2023 - All Rights Reserved. Competition routines will be uploaded to our website and judged virtually. 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. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. 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.. National News | The alleged victims story is shaky at best. 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. Break The Floor Productions Salaries - Glassdoor About us. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 16 years for rape, sexual assault This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. Arts Apr 20. And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. What will the in-person events look like? 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. 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. Description. 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 . 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. 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. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. 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. 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). Through transparency, integrity, and professionalism, we believe we can become a model throughout the dance industry. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. Break The Floor Productions LLC - Company Profile and News Who Is Gil Stroming Break The Floor? Allegations and - Mixedarticle Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 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.. Our model gets smarter over time as more people share salaries on Glassdoor. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. Jackie Stroming Email & Phone Number - Break Th.. | ZoomInfo In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . july 8-15. hyatt regency orlando. Related Articles And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Thank you. Now is the time for continued open dialogue, soul searching, and decisive action towards making amends. 2.7. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. 5446 Satsuma Ave, N Hollywood, California, 91601, United States. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. Company reviews. www.floorproductionsllc.com. Our goal for this coming season is clear we are going to be holding all events, no matter what, GUARANTEED. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. Touring to 16 amazing cities across America and Canada, Break The Floor's SUMMER JAM is a full workshop and competition experience featuring a creative mix of all BTF tours: Jump, NUVO, 24 Seven & Radix! Sign in. 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. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . 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.. Break The Floor Productions - opradancewear CODA aims to revolutionize the dance competition experience and is complimentary for every routine registered for JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven and The Dance Awards. Working at Break The Floor Productions | Glassdoor He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. Break The Floor Productions is actively using 50 technologies for its website, according to BuiltWith. 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. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. Break The Floor Productions LLC Company Profile | Los Angeles, CA Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. Studio Owners, please contact us to confirm pricing, discounts, and incentives. Company Type For Profit. 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. 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. Lonetree was 19. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. He worked at a convention in Minneapolis, Minn., where he alleges a 31-year-old Lazzarini groped him. 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. Break The Floor Productions. Dharma Productions shared the news of filming start on the project on the banner's social media handles. Isla Clarke was 16 when she alleges she received a nude photo texted by one of North Americas most famous dance choreographers, a man nearly twice her age. 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 . Break the Floor Dance Company Investigation Three of these dancers were under 18. (US Only) He was a teen in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who wasnt with Break the Floor at the time, but would go on to run one of its subsidiary conventions. Lavallee said he made it clear he was not interested in a sexual relationship. Headquarters Regions Greater Los Angeles Area, West Coast, Western US. 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 . A year later, Hudson stayed with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors fledgling NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. National News | Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers.