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. Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. Company reviews. This story was reported as a partnership between The Associated Press and the Toronto Star, 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.. My resolve is unwavering. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. 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. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. 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. Break The Floor Productions. What will the in-person events look like? Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. 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. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. 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. And five dancers are suing former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button and her husband, alleging sexual abuse and assault. That night, they had sex in his apartment. He said he felt punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. 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. Dharma Productions shared the news of filming start on the project on the banner's social media handles. How much do Break The Floor Productions employees make? Based on the Toronto Stars expose, 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.Myles Lavallee (one of the students) has accused Wall of starting to groom him when Lavallee was just sixteen years old and Wall was approximately twenty years old. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the AP and Star, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. I carry so much shame, because I knew who this person was I still indulged in the attention anyways, and it made me feel super icky. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. The annual revenue of Break The Floor Productions varies between 25M and 100M. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. Studio Owners, please contact us to confirm pricing, discounts, and incentives. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. 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 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. He called me his convention boyfriend, recalled Hudson. Sign in. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full-out devastating attacks. 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 . Description. He added new conventions, and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say. 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. 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. A third said he and Lazzarini exchanged nude photos when he was 17. - See show line-ups. Who is Floor Productions. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. 24 SEVEN Dance Convention is a dance workshop and competition that tours to 27 cities in the United States each season. Lavalee stated that he felt he was being groomed for a sexual relationship and that he was now being punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. His representatives at the MSA Agency also said they had no comment on his behalf. 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. National News | After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. Our goal for this coming season is clear we are going to be holding all events, no matter what, GUARANTEED. Write a review. 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 . 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. 3 min read. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didnt respond. Another said Lazzarini texted her a nude selfie when she was 16. Founded Date 1999. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. 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They provide amazing opportunities. 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.. Will Conventions & Competitions be happening? 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. 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.. Description. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. Thank you. 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). Snapshot; Why Join Us . Break the Floor helped launch his career, but an alleged assault by one of its star dancers continues to haunt him. 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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. 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. JUMP/NUVO/24SEVEN/TDA.Watch the latest video from Break The Floor (@breakthefloor). One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall of a hotel room they shared with a female assistant and forced oral sex on him. Location. 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 . I totally feel like I was a headache [for Stroming], Lonetree said. Arts Apr 20. This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. 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). I was naive, and I was just letting it all happen, Lindsey said. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. 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. Stroming declined repeated interview requests. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students.
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