At BTF, this contact led to physical boundaries being blurred. Lavallee said they exchanged numbers, and over a few texts and calls, he agreed to become Walls dance assistant. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. Accept. In 2019, Stroming quietly fired him after he posted, then quickly removed, a video that appears to show himself masturbating on Instagram, as the Star previously reported. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. She says she didnt attend any auditions and returned home devastated. Your 24/7 streaming source for equality news and lifestyle trends. Wallace was already a star in the dance world and would later go on to be hired by Gil Stroming to direct Break The Floors 24 Seven. The Break the Floor dance company is parting ways with the dancer after he and others were accused of a range of sexually inappropriate conduct while on tour. 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I was frozen in my own skin, I didnt know what to do, Schaufeld said. Ellis said it was this moment where he realized he had to leave the company. 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. HE WAS INVITING HER TO HIS HOTEL ROOM. Lavallee also said that Wall gave him ecstasy that night. Break the Floor has a fervent following. Break the Floor would not confirm if he was one of the four that were let go in the days after Stroming sold the company. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. 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. He said he felt punished for dodging the alleged sexual advances. Lavallee said he made it clear he was not interested in a sexual relationship. "The problem was not [the taking of his own life]. 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 agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. - 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. 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. I was definitely inappropriate myself in a lot of ways, he told his staff. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. Entering a BTF event is like walking into a carnival. He was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. Geyser said the allegations have nothing to do with the current company, and that people involved with alleged misconduct no longer work for Break The Floor. After all, Meismer was already an icon. Myles Lavallee is one of eight former staffers and students in a . Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Break the Floor (who is bringing in a third party to launch an investigation into the accusation lobbied against Wall) said in a story on the company's Instagram page on Friday "Travis will not be traveling with BTF until we've had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations," going on to say "We take this very seriously and Hotel lobbies, colourfully decorated, are lined with vendors selling clothes and videos. The parents Cecilia Sheeren, Toni Carr, Vicki Oglesby, Jerry Walker and Jarneia Beacham accused studio manager Debra Green of misusing the funds they paid to send their daughters to the JUMP. Three of them say these alleged advances happened when they were under 18. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. ","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. 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. 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. 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 His family has an INCREDIBLE amount of money. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. 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. 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. 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. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. But for many years the secret ate away at him. Nowhere in the world of education should students feel they are underneath the predators, he said. just about 10 hours ago, the owner of BTF Gil, who has also been accused of abuse has stepped down. I wish I would have known back at the time when it happened. ","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. On Oct. 1, BTF kicked off its fall season with an event in Toronto at an airport hotel. I took the word of this choreographer, and thought he was helping me build a dance career. Following his bosss instruction, Ellis went back to his tasks at BTF. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about One dance instructor, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of professional consequences, said she warns the children and teens she brings to conventions to be watchful and aware of the potential for abuse of power. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. 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.. 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. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. 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. Lavallee told the Star that Wall gave him ecstasy that night, and we were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now. Lavallee told the Star he invited a friend to come over to diffuse the situation, and a few months later, Wall cut off communication with Lavallee, which Lavallee believes was a direct result of him avoiding a sexual relationship with Wall. 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. Alumni and faculty have danced onstage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. 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. 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. 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 . Thank you. But he said he felt uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, then in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. Company instructors have appeared on ABCs Dancing with the Stars, Lifetimes Dance Moms and Foxs So You Think You Can Dance.. At the New York event in 2012, Clarke said she turned down Lazzarinis request to join him in his hotel room. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual misconduct that some readers could find distressing. Mapless mother, however, told the news organizations that she saw the photo when it appeared on shared photo albums on their familys home computer. He had been heading it uninterrupted for 22 years, presiding over its consistent growth, when a 2021 Star investigation revealed allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour by Break the Floor coaches over their younger students. Break the Floor cited new training that employees have been required to take along with a new and updated code of conduct. Lonetree alleges Hicks later confronted him, took off Lonetrees headset, and told him to take a walk and come back with the answer I want. Hicks strenuously denies saying this and denies removing Lonetrees headset. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. The largest room is reserved for the main stage, where at many events, aspiring dancers perform showcases and compete for the title of best dancer.. He stopped eating and sleeping, and suffered from panic attacks, he said. (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). "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. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. They provide amazing opportunities. Uchida is now volunteering with BTF to help further revise the dance companys code of conduct. We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. https://t.co/213nsiNJ73 Morgan Bocknek (@mobocks) October 21, 2021 Wallace was already a star in the dance world and would later go on to be hired by Gil Stroming to direct Break The Floors 24 Seven. However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. Both said Stroming dismissed their concerns. Misha Gabriel 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. My resolve is unwavering. Updated: This article has been updated to include a comment that Break The Floor provided after the article published. Stroming was three years older, she said, a magnetic 19-year old running the whole show. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. He referred reporters to his lawyer, who did not respond. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him. 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. Hundreds of studios and schools from. 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. Out So You Think You Can Dance winner and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Travis Wall has been cut from dance company Break the Floor's tours following an investigation by The Toronto Star into his alleged sexually inappropriate behavior. Im not trying to bring this company down. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. Then, in early February, amid a flurry of new allegations against Break the Floor instructors on social media, Stroming disappeared from the companys website. Professional dancers suffer a wide swath of sexual predation from irritating flirtation to full out devastating attacks. Others did make allegations about BTF staff to owner and CEO Stroming, but their concerns were dismissed, allege two former staffers who say they were harassed on the job. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Two dancers said they complained about sexual harassment on the job to Stroming directly. Now 25, Uchida grew up attending BTF conventions. BTF TV. 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. Eventually, Lazzarini began to avoid her at dance conventions, Clarke said, and this made her anxious, as she feared he was in a position to impede her career. Teens who win titles at BTF events are invited back to work on the convention circuit as dance assistants for choreographers on the BTF roster, known internally as faculty.. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. "Travis will not be traveling with BTF until we've had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations," Break the Floor said in a statement posted on Instagram Stories on Friday, according toThe Wrap. 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. In the NEWS. After the Stars October 2021 story published, dancers came forward with more than 15 additional accusations, about Stroming and Break The Floor faculty. Many described an overtly sexual environment. He said the fact that the sale occurred at the time of mounting allegations was a coincidence. Six of them have agreed to go public with their allegations. Break the Floor has a fervent following. He worked at a convention in Minneapolis, Minn., where he alleges a 31-year-old Lazzarini groped him. U.S. Crime Twitter Human trafficking A woman tweeted Wednesday in a now viral thread that a man allegedly tried to break into her hotel room in Washington, D.C., at 1 a.m. on October 11. 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. 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. One dancer alleges he was 16 when Wall gave him ecstasy and methamphetamine, and now believes Wall was grooming him for a sexual relationship. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. 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. Meismer did not respond to repeated requests for comment. "In. In hotel ballrooms across the United States and Canada, Break the Floor sells the dream of Hollywood fame to ambitious young dancers hoping to launch careers on television, in movies and on stage. As a student I was in inappropriate relationships with teachers, and vice versa, and just looking back I was like, oh wow, I think a lot of us dont even realize at first the power that we have in the dance world., In a written statement he told AP/Star I have been very upfront that when I first started the company at 19, over 20 years ago, there were issues of inappropriateness., The reach of California-based Break The Floor Productions extends across the entertainment industry to some of the biggest names in music, television and social media. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. Im not trying to bring this company down. 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. The Star has spoken to a friend of Lindseys who said they saw the texts and photos Lindsey and Lazzarini exchanged. I didnt know how inappropriate that was.. 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. 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. Lonetree was 19. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. Through a publicist, Wall told the Star that the accusations against him were false.
