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. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said he let four people go because of credible allegations of misconduct. One dancer alleges he was 16 when Wall gave him ecstasy and methamphetamine, and now believes Wall was grooming him for a sexual relationship. Two dancers said they complained about sexual harassment on the job to Stroming directly. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. "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. A former student, Myles Lavallee, told the paper that Wall started grooming him when he was 16 and Wall was 20. Lilli Maples had taken classes with Gabriel since she was 10 years old. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"captionPosition":"overlay","origImageSize":"1200x800","fullWindowGenericImage":false,"lastmodified":1650401372730,"forceoriginal":false,"caption":"Gary Schaufeld fell in love with tap dancing at seven years old. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. 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. Alumni and faculty have danced onstage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. Meismer was recently removed from NUVOs website and abruptly left the tour. 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. Hicks said he apologized to Lonetree and was reprimanded by Stroming. Lavallee said they exchanged numbers, and over a few texts and calls, he agreed to become Walls dance assistant. Ellis alleges that Stroming decided there was no sexual harassment because Lazzarini never touched his genitals. Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. : A Star investigation has found allegations of widespread sexual harassment and predatory behaviour at Break the Floor, a prominent company that tours Canada, the United States, and Mexico. 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. Hamilton also said perpetrators in many youth-focused organizations use hotel rooms away from home to exploit the power imbalance between teachers and students. Lazzarini would laugh and smile and would play it lighthearted so as to not take on the full responsibility of what he was doing, said Ellis. Stroming did not respond to questions about this incident. TikTokWant more news, top stories, and videos? Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual harassment that some readers could find distressing. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"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. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Im not a monster but I feel like one, Wallace wrote, adding that he has a lot of hazy memories and a huge list of regrets/mistakes from that time period. But he said he felt uncomfortable when a dance teacher, Mark Meismer, then in his early 30s, repeatedly told him how attractive he was. So I think I always kind of accepted it as, it is what it is, you cant do anything about it. . After all, Meismer was already an icon. He accepted a sought-after opportunity to assist Meismer as they toured various studios and conventions together. 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. Hicks, meanwhile, continued to work at RADIX every season, through 2021. In the past, Break The Floors policies and procedures did not focus on these issues as closely as they could have. 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. At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. In 2019, according to multiple sources, Lazzarini accidentally posted to Instagram a video that appears to show himself masturbating. The Toronto Stars story, which was published Thursday, detailed widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior at the North America-based Break the Floor. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Stroming started the company after he came to fame in the 1990s, performing in an off-Broadway show Tap Dogs, described in The New York Times as a beefcake tap-a-thon where six husky hoofers show off more than their fancy footwork.. 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. 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. ","title":"Get more stories like this one in your inbox"},{"text":"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. Lavallee also said that Wall gave him ecstasy that night. https://t.co/213nsiNJ73 Morgan Bocknek (@mobocks) October 21, 2021 As I embark on a path of repentance, I will use the platform I have been given to do better in the future and to help others get it right too. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about Political History, Black Youth Leader Says He Was Mistakenly Detained While Naked, New Jersey Librarian Files Federal Complaint After Being Fired for 'Gay Lifestyle', Transgender Archaeologist Fired From Federal Job After Posing With AR-15, Trans Parole Seekers in California Face Misgendering, Other Barriers, Sara Bareilles Celebrates Her LGBTQ+ Anthem 'Brave' a Decade After Its Release, Anti-Trans 'Bathroom Bill' Becomes Law in North Dakota, Dylan Mulvaney Breaks Silence After Transphobic Backlash Over Bud Light Partnership, Watch Hunter Schafer Make Her Hunger Games Debut in Prequels First Trailer, Brittney Griner Says She Won't Play Overseas Again After Being Jailed in Russia, Aaron Simnowitz Opens Up About Failing Conversion Therapy & New Book, Life Coach Carlos Brandt on Breaking Machismo and BOTOX Cosmetic, Dwyane Wade and Family Forced to Leave Florida Due to Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation, Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Lesbian Union Leader Is Not Really a Mother. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Photos: Break the Floor, Joe Corrigan/Getty Images, Jason Kempin/Getty Images, Beau Campbell, Miss Toto Rodgers, KiLeigh Williams, ngel Vasquez, Lee Gumbs, Broderick Baumann. We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary.. By clicking accept, you agree to this use. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual misconduct that some readers could find distressing. Its the opposite of a zero tolerance policy, Ellis said. Thousands of. 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. 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. 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. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. In dance spaces, students are in frequent and close contact with their teachers, spending long hours training and rehearsing with them. Lonetree was 19. Since the accusations have come to light, Break the Floor has removed Travis Wall as a staff member for the time being. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. While for some of the dancers in this story the sexual interactions were, at the time, consensual, they now feel a power imbalance pressured them into relationships with leaders of the dance world who are many years older than them. Ellis started working for BTF in merchandising, selling clothing at events in 2015 when he was 19. For aspiring young dancers like Clarke, the company's events are an almost mandatory stop if they want to pursue dancing professionally. ","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. Susan Kao illustration with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, John Lamparski/Getty Images, Broderick Baumann and ngel Vasquez, VIDEO OF BTF EVENT, OCT. 14, 2018: NICO LONETREE/@NICOGOOFS. 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. 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. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. We are committed to being a serious voice in this conversation and will continue our diligent efforts to positively impact the dance industry.. 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. 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 . I just didnt know myself enough to understand how harmful it was, Hudson said. But at Meismers house, they didnt discuss work. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. Your 24/7 streaming source for equality news and lifestyle trends. 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. Break the Floor, which tap dancer Gil Stroming founded, provides master classes for younger dancers. New students poured into dance studios, along with a growing number of health and fitness aficionados. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. Donald Padgett October 25 2021. Break the Floor calls itself one of the worlds preeminent dance companies, and its programs reach more than 300,000 dancers each year. 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. The Stars prior investigation uncovered allegations that Lazzarini had subjected at least six dancers to unwanted sexual advances at Break The Floor events. 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. Break the Floor Sexual Abuse AP Article. Wall helped bring the first same-sex pairing to So You Think You Can Dance. "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. To my family, friends, colleagues and, most importantly, to those who bravely stepped forward to share their truth: I am truly sorry. 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. Wall, an Emmy-award winner, was also removed from a BTF tour following the Stars earlier reporting. But as his company grew, the alleged sexual misconduct continued. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. They provide amazing opportunities. 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. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? I believe that we are doing more than most organizations to combat this head on, he said. "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. "We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary. Accept. 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. Due to the investigation, the dance company said it will be looking into the accusations further. This was in 2008, when Wall was at the height of his fame, having become a staple on television after placing second on So You Think You Can Dance. Wall has denied these allegations. 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night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him.
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