break the floor productions

<style>.g-image--loading{display:none;}</style> Specialties: Event Production Established in 2000. By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza, Associated Press, Morgan Bocknek, Toronto Star . Who's who in the break the floor investigation. High school student, convention boyfriend. 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. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. Hudson said he was optimistic. We have many different teams and departments who are in need of someone just like you! Snapshot; Why Join Us . All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. FREE Shipping. Ghislaine Maxwells appeals arguments mirror earlier claims 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 . If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. Check! One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. 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 . Our dance studio friends are finding it hard to plan for the new season. 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. j***@breakthefloor.com. 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. 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. Break The Floor Productions is part of the Home Improvement & Hardware Retail industry, and located in California, United States. Im not trying to bring this company down. Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. Its headquarters is located at New York, New York, USA. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. 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. Russell Geyser is the new CEO of Break the Floor Productions. Russell is known for a high level of professionalism in the entertainment industry. Break The Floor Productions. Stroming did not respond to questions about Elliss allegations. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the companys events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . In summer 2018, about two years after Ellis approached Stroming about Lazzarinis conduct, 17-year-old Zeke Lindsey met Lazzarini and began taking his classes. 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. 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). California teacher who gave birth to child fathered by student hit with another sexual abuse lawsuit 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. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. But it all blew up when Beacham's husband, Kirk, contacted Gil Stroming, owner of Break the Floor Productions, about why the company would cancel the studio's registration to the Jump and Nuvo . 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. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. 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. 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 . I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. I then felt very embarrassed. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. What will the in-person events look like? Here is how it will work: JUMP, NUVO & 24 Seven will be planning all events, in-person, for the upcoming season. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. it's worth it! 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.. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The alleged victims story is shaky at best. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. 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. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Dance studios may apply their own additional administrative fees. Lazzarini denies subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. . 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 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. Read More . It just felt like the next step was for us to be in contact and kiss one another.. 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 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. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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. Our model gets smarter over time as more people share salaries on Glassdoor. 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.. 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. JUMP/NUVO/24SEVEN/TDA.Watch the latest video from Break The Floor (@breakthefloor). Which in fact, he wasnt, Hudson said in his video, viewed over 6,300 times. (The Star has not seen the now-deleted text from Lazzarini, but has spoken with two people with whom Clarke shared or discussed the message). Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. We could have and should have done better, he said. 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. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. The AP and the Star havent seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. Meismer shushed him, he remembers, warning that someone was asleep in a nearby room. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek | Associated Press and Toronto Star. 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.. The next day Meismer was removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. Company reviews. On Oct. 1, BTF kicked off its fall season with an event in Toronto at an airport hotel. Earlier this year, after Geyser took the helm as CEO, Break The Floor published a new code of conduct. 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. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. Break The Floor Productions. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 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. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . 165.8K Followers. For payroll inquiries: payroll@breakthefloor.com For accounting inquiries: accounting@breakthefloor.com For human resources: hr@breakthefloor.com For general information about our dance programs: info@breakthefloor.com Looking back, Lindsey feels he had been groomed. National News | 24 SEVEN Dance Convention is a dance workshop and competition that tours to 27 cities in the United States each season. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. 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. Due to the LA lockdown, it took us a little longer to organize. 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. Website. Who would give someone Ecstacy in their parents home? September 17, 2021. 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 cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). 24Seven 2021. 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. 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. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. Its the opposite of a zero tolerance policy, Ellis said. Thank you. Ellis said Stroming peppered him with questions. but trust us. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely . Travis has made some great dance routines and is a great dancer. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. He said he felt punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. agreed. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. Phone Number (706) 217-6462. july 8-15. hyatt regency orlando. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Break the Floors reach extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. 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. 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. National News | In his first 10 days as CEO, he said four people were let go.. 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. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Read More. CODA aims to revolutionize the dance competition experience and is complimentary for every routine registered for JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven and The Dance Awards. New York,NY . Film Production. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. BREAK THE FLOOR LIVE is now April 18-19! 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. Operator of dance entertainment company committed to creating a dance culture. Headquarters. 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. 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. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. 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. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. 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. We were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now, he said. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. 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. We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. Reviews from Break The Floor Productions employees about Break The Floor Productions culture, salaries, benefits, work-life balance, management, job security, and more. JUMP is proud to integrate CODA into all its competition. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. 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). 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. Maples mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photos when they appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer.

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