Find top employees, contact details and business statistics at RocketReach. In the years that followed, Hudson said Meismer continued to pursue him for sex. 2.7 out of 5 stars. I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. Break The Floor Productions is actively using 50 technologies for its website, according to BuiltWith. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. Hudson alleges Meismer pushed him against a wall and performed oral sex on him. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. 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 . 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 . 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. Ellis said Stroming peppered him with questions. National News | 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. Competition routines will be uploaded to our website and judged virtually. las vegas, nv. The AP and the Star haven't seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? Jackie Stroming's Phone Number and Email Last Update. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. Break The Floor Productions, LLC was formed in 1999 by Gil Stroming with the rock-tap show Break The Floor. 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. 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. All rights reserved. Break the Floor has a fervent following. Subscribe to our emails. Break The Floor now draws around 300,000 dance students, some as . I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Meismer didnt respond to repeated requests for comment. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Operator of dance entertainment company committed to creating a dance culture. I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. To surprise him, Hudson said Meismer would buy them matching outfits. 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. 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.. 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. California teacher who gave birth to child fathered by student hit with another sexual abuse lawsuit 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.. 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 . 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. 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. - And more! Operating Status Active. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer groped him in public. Learn More About 24 Seven! The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. We could have and should have done better. Specialties: Event Production Established in 2000. 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 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 . FREE Shipping. 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. 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. 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. break the floor Blogs, Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com . Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. 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 . but trust us. She says she didnt attend any auditions, and returned home devastated. Follow Break The Floor Productions on Instagram. Inside a Manhattan hotel, one of those choreographers Clarke idolized was now propositioning her for sex, she alleges. 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. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Break The Floor Productions 6555 Barton Ave., Ste. 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. . And everybody strives for that, obviously, because that leads to more opportunity and attention from the faculty, said Uchida. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year-old running the whole show. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and confront Wallace directly. Break the Floor founder, celebrity dance instructors face sexual misconduct allegations as the prominent company's crisis deepens. Check! Take a look at our available positions: And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. 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. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. The OFFICIAL TikTok for Break the Floor Productions! I loved his reality show All the Right Moves & had a crush on Travis, if true makes my crush go away. I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. Hundreds of studios and schools from smaller communities bring teams of dancers to the events, branded by Stroming as JUMP, NUVO, 24seven, RADIX and DancerPalooza. 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 wasn't with Break the Floor at the time, but would go on to run one of its subsidiary conventions. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. it's worth it! Can a dancer do the scholarship audition through a virtual event? It has been humbling. San Jose firefighter claims sexual abuse, racism, swastikas drove her out How? 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. 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. Stroming did not respond to specific questions, though told the Star that the dance company did not have fully thought out policies and procedures regarding this and, over the last year and a half we have worked very hard to make BTF a better and safer environment for everyone.. 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. 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. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. The incentive is a tax credit designed to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the growing . 550 Los Angeles, CA 90038 818.432.1234 info@breakthefloor.com. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. If an event changes from in-person to virtual, the difference in fees will be . Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza and Morgan Bocknek | Associated Press and Toronto Star. Alumni and faculty have danced on stage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Josh Shapiro said he will propose a three-year incentive of up to $2,500 a year for newly certified teachers, police officers and nurses when the Democrat unveils his budget plan on Tuesday. Company Type For Profit. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. September 17, 2021. Lawyers for Saradpon and the Buttons didnt respond to requests for comment. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. The Break The Floor faculty can't wait to dance with you! 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 . Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Jackie Stroming is a Mom Chief & Officer at Break The Floor Productions based in N Hollywood, California. 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. 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 . (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). But the secret ate away at him. But he was uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Average hourly pay for Break The Floor Productions Av Technician: $21. 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 . Break The Floor Productions. 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 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 . Thats what Gary Schaufeld says happened to him. 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 Productions Jan 2015 - Aug 2019 4 years 8 months. 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! The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. 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 . 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 . And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. 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. Each of them has since left the company amid allegations of sexual misconduct. 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. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. 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Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. That same year, Lavallee alleges a 24-year-old dancer forced himself onto a 16-year-old Lavallee at a party. 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 . 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. 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. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. . One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. 11/20/2022 12:38 PM. After all, Meismer was already an icon; he had toured with Britney Spears, Madonna and Paula Abdul. Break The Floor Productions. Start of main content. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video of himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. We could have and should have done better, he said. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. Break The Floor (@breakthefloor) on TikTok | 2M Likes. 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. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. They provide amazing opportunities. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. 10 Mar, 2022, 01.17 PM IST. With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 300,000 dancers annually, Break the Floor Productions is largely responsible for the transformation of dance entertainment. Break The Floor Productions is a private company. 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. 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). Click to reveal Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. Button taught at Radix conventions. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. Attendees squeeze into small ballrooms where choreographers teach classes. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. 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. Website. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Meismer asked the young dancer, then 17, to come to his home. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Three of these dancers were under 18. Founders Gil Stroming. Meismer didn't respond to repeated requests for comment.