Your 24/7 streaming source for equality news and lifestyle trends. The combination of hypersexual dance content and the close contact between adult teachers and the young dancers creates an atmosphere ripe for abuse, said Jamal Story, co-chair of the National Dance Committee for The Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Representatives for Wall and Break the Floor did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment Saturday. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. He was inviting her to his hotel room. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. "The dance community has long dealt with issues of inappropriate power dynamics as well as overt unacceptable behavior," Break the Floor said in a statement posted to Instagram Thursday. Travis Wall is being accused of giving a minor crystal meth at a hotel party. 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. "We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary. 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.. According to the Star, Wall told the outlet through his publicist that "the accusations against me are false," in response to the Star's initial story, but did not comment on being cut from Break the Floor's tour as a result of the accusation. Wall has previously said "accusations against me are false." He referred reporters to his lawyer, who did not respond. Dancers say leading company bred culture of sex, silence - The Mercury News ","heading":"","fullWindow":false,"fullBleed":false,"showFullBleedOnMobile":false,"headColor":"","type":"html5mobile","textColor":"","mobileImageUrl":"","bgColor":"","imageUrl":"","registeredOnly":false,"linkUrl":"","aodaTitle":"Jeremy Hudson Instagram post","internalScroll":false,"displayStyle":"small-up"},{"text":"Meismer was recently removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. 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. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. My resolve is unwavering. 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 . Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. 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. In the wake of the Stars first investigation, Stroming said the company has worked hard over the last year and a half to make Break the Floor a better and safer environment.. 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. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"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. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said he let four people go because of credible allegations of misconduct. The problem was the three-year-old boy that was in the video with this guy. Stroming did not respond to questions about this incident. Carroll came out with her accusations against Trump in a book titled "What Do We Need Men For?" and in an excerpt of the tome published in New York Magazine in 2019. He added new conventions and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. "In. Of these sources, four say Stroming sometimes brought young Break the Floor participants to parties or company events, where they were introduced as his girlfriend. I was naive, and I was just letting it all happen, Lindsey said. Includes allegations against Break the Floor founder Gil Stroming (referenced in 1 episode by Abby), as well as choreographers Mark Meismer (had Elliana as a regular assistant over the pandemic, taught the older girls choreography at ALDC LA) and Travis Wall (danced with Maddie on SYTYCD . Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. Thursday's testimony became heated, with Trump's accuser, E. Jean Carroll raising her voice at one point, and the judge scolding a Trump lawyer for asking questions that were "argumentative . Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. After all, Meismer was already an icon. One of those students, Myles Lavallee, accused Wall of beginning to groom him when Lavallee was 16 and Wall was around 20. I dont know in which ways more to be accountable, in which ways more to apologize, or in which ways more to make it right, Hicks said. In light of this, over the last 18 months, we have made substantial strides to ensure BTR is a better and safer environment for everyone.". SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, AFI Honors Rust Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins With Scholarship Fund for Women Filmmakers, 13 New Fall TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers, From Grand Crew to CSI: Vegas (Photos). "Travis will not be traveling with BTF until we've had an opportunity to look into these allegations." BTF announced in a statement via Instagram. 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.. 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. Travis Wall Sexual Misconduct Accusation, Cut From Break the Floor presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution As for the other allegation from the then-16-year old, Gabriel denied sending the photo, saying he would never engage in inappropriate behaviour that would ever lead to sending something like this to a teenager. Trump 'slammed' E. Jean Carroll before allegedly raping her - New York Post "In. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say So the boy was playing on the floor with these toys, like not even . Click this link right now: https://advocatechannel.com, 26 Things Gay Sex Workers Want You to Know, 36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party, 11 Homoerotic Ads, Covers From 20th Century Gay Artist J.C. 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Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. 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. 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. Break the Floor dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say They provide amazing opportunities. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Gabriel, when asked about Mapless accusation, said in a written statement that he had been drinking heavily that night to control fears about serious health problems in his family. NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As lawmakers filed into the House chamber after a lunch break on Thursday, the desk of former state Rep. Scotty Campbell sat empty, the characteristic lawmaker name plate . . Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. Lavallee, who says he became Walls dance assistant in 2008, says Wall made sexual advances on him when the two were staying overnight at Lavallees parents house in Arizona while teaching a dance course nearby. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. In a series of text messages between Schaufeld and Wallace, reviewed by the Star/AP, Schaufeld laid out his accusations and Wallace said that although he couldnt remember anything, he couldnt be more sorry.. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use. Myles Lavallee is one of eight former staffers and students in a . Hudson said he was optimistic: This might just be his lucky break into professional dance. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. One, who says he was groped, said Stroming told him that wasnt actually sexual harassment because the young dancer had recoiled before Lazzarini allegedly almost touched his genitals. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. ISLA CLARKE WAS 16 WHEN SHE ALLEGES SHE RECEIVED A NUDE PHOTO TEXTED BY ONE OF NORTH AMERICA'S MOST FAMOUS DANCE CHOREOGRAPHERS, A MAN NEARLY TWICE HER AGE. He said he must have passed out and has no recollection of sending the text. Break the Floor faces new sexual misconduct allegations | The Star Once a dancer himself, Stroming said he was already making improvements. The AP and Star have not seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. All I would need to do is say [five] words: I know what you did. . "We are committed to being a serious voice in this conversation and will continue our diligent efforts to positively impact the dance industry," the company added. Wall, an Emmy-award winner, was also removed from a BTF tour following the Stars earlier reporting. 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. According to the Star, Wall told the outlet through his publicist that the accusations against me are false, in response to the Stars initial story, but did not comment on being cut from Break the Floors tour as a result of the accusation. This comes after the Toronto Star published a recent news story accusing him of s*xually questionable behavior. BTF has undergone training and revised its code of conduct, the company said in a statement. I just knew after that the company was bad news and I wanted out.. Meismer was recently removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. Donald Padgett October 25 2021. Thousands of. Lindsey alleges Lazzarini sent him nude photos of himself. The ultimate goal is winning first place under the spotlight at the annual Dance Awards. Travis Wall taken off tour with Break the Floor dance - The Star To order copies of However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. Thats what Gary Schaufeld alleges happened to him. 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. He said he had never done drugs of any kind before. Then, in early February, amid a flurry of new allegations against Break the Floor instructors on social media, Stroming disappeared from the companys website. So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. Discover breakthefloor allegations 's popular videos | TikTok Schaufeld stopped dancing years ago and has no plans to return to the studio. But during a 2020 in-house training, a recording of which was reviewed by the Star/AP, Stroming addressed his own past misconduct. He was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. Travis Wall taken off tour with Break the Floor dance company following Lavallee said he made it clear he was not interested in a sexual relationship. We could have and should have done better, he said. 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. Republication or distribution of this content is 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. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. So did his brother Jeff the companys chief production officer and mother Jackie, known within the company as the Chief Mom Officer.. The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star After the Stars October 2021 story published, dancers came forward with more than 15 additional accusations, about Stroming and Break The Floor faculty. Lazzarinis next job, teaching students at the Titans of Dance convention, ended in October, 2021, shortly after the Star published that story. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. Break the Floor Sexual Abuse AP Article. One dancer said she met Stroming when she was a 16-year-old high school junior attending one of Break the Floors first events with her parents. Break the Floor Sexual Abuse AP Article : r/dancemoms - Reddit Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. The profile of Gabriel whos performed with Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Beyonc and more has disappeared from the companys website, though there was no formal announcement of his departure. Whenever I worked with a struggling student, I always reassured them that confronting our shortcomings is not a showing of weakness, it is the beginning of strength. As I Lonetree said he recounted the alleged exchange to Stroming. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"captionPosition":"overlay","origImageSize":"960x1200","fullWindowGenericImage":false,"lastmodified":1650411169104,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Gary Schaufeld was a teenager in 2004 when he alleges a dance instructor pushed him up against a wall in an Ottawa, Ont., hotel room and forced oral sex on him. Hudson was still working with Meismer when he joined Break The Floors NUVO convention as part of its original lineup of instructors. It banned inviting students to hotel rooms and said instructors shouldnt call students their daughter or son., The code of conduct also requires educators to report any suspected child abuse: If you witness anything concerning, it is your duty to report it to the appropriate authorities., Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. I cant tell you how many times I thought about writing to Travis (Wall). 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 dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. 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. About two decades ago, when she was a 20-year-old dance teacher accompanying her students to a Break the Floor event, she said she refused Gil Stromings $500 offer to join him in his hotel room. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? "The dance community has long dealt with issues of inappropriate power dynamics as well as overt unacceptable behavior," Break the Floor said in a statement posted to Instagram Thursday. Break the Floor, which tap dancer Gil Stroming founded, provides master classes for younger dancers. 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. In addition to competitions with cash prizes, Break The Floors conventions which cost between $200 to $350 USD per student offer dozens of workshops, under strobing lights and thumping music. He also noted that he was not in a position of authority but in a first-year, entry-level position. I dont think I was aware of how manipulated I was and how easy it was for (Lazzarini) to take advantage of the situation, Lindsey said. This site uses cookies for analytics, personalized content, and ads. 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. Stroming declined interview requests and did not respond to the specific allegations. He apologized and said that he himself was a victim of abuse as a teen, and that his texts to Maples were a one time ever brief exchange that he would never consciously have sent. He said the texts have been misinterpreted and taken out of context.. 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. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. 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 . Woman Claims Man Attempted to Break Into Her Hotel Room at 1 - Newsweek Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. As a result of the story, Break the Floor is bringing in a third party to launch an investigation into the accusation made against So You Think You Can Dance alum Wall. Tennessee Rep. Scotty Campbell resigns after harassment violation Im not trying to bring this company down. - December 15, 2022 Break the Floor company is taking appropriate measures to investigate the allegation of inappropriate behavior made against its Emmy-winning choreographer, Travis Wall. One said Lazzarini groped him through a hole in his pants. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year old running the whole show. After he turned 18, he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with Lazzarini. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full out devastating attacks. He vowed to make Break the Floor a safe space for the next generation of dancers the same goal, he said, that he had when he launched the dance company more than 20 years ago as a charismatic 19-year-old. Schaufeld said Wallace asked him to assist him at an event in Ontario, along with another female dancer, and they were sharing a room in an Ottawa hotel. Meismer did not respond to repeated requests for comment. A dance instructor alleges Stroming offered her $500 to come to his hotel room. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. Now is the time for continued open dialogue, soul searching, and decisive action towards making amends. I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. But he said he felt uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, then in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Lavallee called a friend to come over to divert where he said he felt the night was leading. Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. Stroming did not respond to questions about Elliss allegations. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust., In a later response, after being presented with an additional accusation that he sent nude photos to a teenage dancer, Lazzarini added: I have never subjected anyone to unwanted sexual advances. ISLA CLARKE Ex-BTF Student NICK LAZZARINI Ex-BTF staff Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming. BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. I apologize and sincerely regret that my actions have hurt people I cherish or has broken their trust. This investigation, in partnership with the Associated Press, has found the alleged misconduct goes even deeper, and involves some of those responsible for turning Break the Floor into a dance industry empire. All Travis Wall Allegations : r/DCCMakingtheTeam - Reddit When allegations of sexual misconduct hit the world-famous dance company Break the Floor last fall, CEO Gil Stroming tried to calm the tight-knit community of dancers and their parents. "In the past, Break The Floor's policies and procedures did not focus on these issues as closely as they could have. 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. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. 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 of sexual misconduct and grooming were leveled at him by a then-underaged dancer with the company. It just felt like the next step was for us to be in contact and kiss one another.. The dance world, its not like its different than any other world, its just that theyve been able to keep their secrets longer.. Be sure to follow Alumni and faculty have danced onstage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. Hundreds of studios and schools from smaller communities bring teams of dancers to the events, branded by Stroming as JUMP, NUVO, 24 Seven, RADIX and DancerPalooza. But as his company grew, the alleged sexual misconduct continued. Through a publicist, Wall told the Star that the accusations against him were false. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"In an interview with the Star/AP, Wallace denied Schaufelds allegations and said nothing physical ever transpired between them, though he said he remembered having an inappropriate attraction to Schaufeld. Wall's publicist maintains that the accusations are entirely false. Break the Floor is investigating an allegation of sexually inappropriate behaviour raised in a Toronto Star investigation. Nico Lonetree (left) and Myles Lavallee are among eight dancers who allege they were subjected to sexual harassment or predatory behaviour from staff of the prominent dance company, Break the Floor. By the mid-2000s, dance exploded into the mainstream with the debuts of popular television shows So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. They brought fame to dancers Nick Lazzarini, the first-ever winner of Americas Favorite Dancer in 2005, Travis Wall and Misha Gabriel, who would all later become big-name attractions as Break The Floor instructors.
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