With a broad range of business prospects and a reach of over 100,000+ dancers annually, Break The Floor Productions is largely . And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. break the floor Latest Breaking News, Pictures, Videos, and Special Reports from The Economic Times. 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. 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. 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 . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Instinct Magazine 2023 - All Rights Reserved. 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 . Two of the choreographers facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour are listed as employees on the companys website. Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. Break The Floor Productions AV Technician Hourly Pay 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. 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.. (US Only) 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 . 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. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. Free and open company data on California (US) company BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS LLC (company number 201329710098), 5446 SATSUMA AVE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, 91601. Still, he accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. Break the Floor Productions is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing dance conventions, touring theatrical productions, software, photo and video . 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 of sex and silence, according to interviews with dozens of former and current staff and students. 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. At Floor Productions we deliver best-in-class quality with the industries' best time-to-market project completion. They provide amazing opportunities. National News | Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. 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. 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. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. 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. 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. Break the Floor Dance Company Investigation 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. September 17, 2021. Shapiro aims tax break at police officers, teachers, nurses 165.8K Followers. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Attendees squeeze into small ballrooms where choreographers teach classes. What will the in-person events look like? In dance studios, Hudson says Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. 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. Operator of dance entertainment company committed to creating a dance culture. 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 . Glassdoor provides our best prediction for total pay in today's job market, along with other types of pay like cash bonuses, stock bonuses, profit sharing, sales commissions, and tips. 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. 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.. 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. 324 Brickyard Rd, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, United States. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence - The Mercury News Please know, the Break The Floor team is committed to bringing you the safest, most organized and exceptional events in the dance industry. On planes, Meismer would grope him in his seat, Hudson alleges. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. Russell Geyser - CEO at Break The Floor Productions | The Org The lawsuit and its disturbing allegations have rocked the ballet world, one populated by young dancers most of them girls who train under exacting instructors in hopes of reaching the top . 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. 2.7 out of 5 stars. COMPETITION INFO - JUMP Dance Convention Inside a Manhattan hotel, one of those choreographers Clarke idolized was now propositioning her for sex, she alleges. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. We know this season will look a little different for now. For more than 30 years, Russell has been CEO of numerous companies and run a portfolio of investments in theatrical film production, sports lending, film finance and lending, media buying, and . Jobs - Break The Floor In the months that followed, Ellis said he began accepting Lazzarinis advances, once making out in the choreographers hotel room during a work break. 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. Due to the current climate, we realize the need for a clearer payment and refund policy. I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who didn't respond. 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 is one of the world's preeminent dance entertainment companies, encompassing touring theatrical productions, dance workshops, photo and video production, corporate events and apparel. 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. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. Parents sue Tomball dance studio - Chron Company Sold Dream of Fame. Dancers Call It a Nightmare - Newser 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. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. In a written statement, he told the AP and Star, I have been very upfront that when I first started the company at 19, over 20 years ago, there were issues of inappropriateness. He didn't respond to the specific allegations. Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions The creative type? 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 Email Format & Employee Directory | ContactOut Snapshot; Why Join Us . Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. 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. break the floor Blogs, Comments and Archive News on Economictimes.com . Its touring conventions will make numerous stops this year, from Miami to Vancouver and Calgary to Anchorage, Alaska. Button taught at Radix conventions. We were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now, he said. October 25 2021 11:10 AM EST. The next morning, Stroming left abruptly for Las Vegas and handed her $40 for a cab ride back to the airport. 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. 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. By Juliet Linderman, Martha Mendoza, Associated Press, Morgan Bocknek, Toronto Star . Contact Email info@breakthefloor.com. 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.