But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. 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. After Maples showed the screenshots to friends who shared them on social media, Gabriel sent her a message threatening to ruin her career, she said. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 100,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. This story was reported in partnership with the Toronto Star. National News | it's worth it! Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. Company reviews. 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.. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. 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 . Soon after, Lavallee, then 16, attended a hotel-room party in California where he said Wall, who was around 20, gave him crystal meth a highly addictive stimulant so he could stay awake for his flight back home to Arizona. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. 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. Read More . 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. 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. Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. 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. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. 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. 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. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County District Attorney with perpetrating lewd acts on minors in a private dance studio, and is awaiting trial. Three of these dancers were under 18. When I began teaching dance, I did so with the singular goal of helping individuals discover, develop, and express their truest selves. break the floor Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. About us. 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 . 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 alleged victims story is shaky at best. Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. Through transparency, integrity, and professionalism, we believe we can become a model throughout the dance industry. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. To get a job at Break The Floor Productions, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Sexual abuse pervades the dance world, according to child advocates and industry leaders. Receive a full refund within 7 business days of the event. 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 . At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. 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). (Please note: Some fall cities have a registration deadline of only 14 days prior). Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. My resolve is unwavering. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. Break The Floor Productions is actively using 50 technologies for its website, according to BuiltWith. 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. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. 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. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. This will be a real. Contact. A post shared by Break The Floor Productions (@breakthefloorprod). 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.. 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. 24 SEVEN Dance Convention is a dance workshop and competition that tours to 27 cities in the United States each season. Phone Number (706) 217-6462. 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 (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. I believe if I had been taken seriously at the time I came forward with my experiences, this could have prevented another person from finding themselves in the same position that I was forced into, Ellis said. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. 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. Emmy winning choreographer Travis Wall has been cut from Break the Floor dance company's traveling tours amid an investigation into an accusation of . Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Pay & Benefits. 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.. 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. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. 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. 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. Break the Floor is the largest producer of dance conventions in the world with three dance conventions, JUMP, NUVO and 24 Seven Dance . Find salaries. Sign in. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. Location. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. but trust us. Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? Im not trying to bring this company down. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. Break The Floor Productions 6555 Barton Ave., Ste. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. What if we plan on it and they are cancelled again? In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. Im not trying to bring this company down. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. 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. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Sign in. 2.7 out of 5 stars. 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. But the secret ate away at him. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. 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. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Phone Number 818.432.1234. 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.. 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. Employers / Post Job. He worked at a convention in Minneapolis, Minn., where he alleges a 31-year-old Lazzarini groped him. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Break The Floor Productions, LLC uses Remarketing with Google Analytics to advertise on third party sites to you after you visited our Site. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. Check! But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. This allows a dancer or studio to take class from home or at the studio (at the discounted virtual fee). Learn More About 24 Seven! 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. 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. 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. 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. CODA aims to revolutionize the dance competition experience and is complimentary for every routine registered for JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven and The Dance Awards. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. A people person? At least four people removed from Break The Floor for alleged misconduct have continued to work around kids in other settings. Due to the LA lockdown, it took us a little longer to organize. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings.
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