. 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. Wall cut off ties with Lavallee, which Lavallee said was due to him not accepting Wall's advances. Wall helped bring the first same-sex pairing to So You Think You Can Dance. My resolve is unwavering. We were doing hand massages, which just creeps me out now, he said. Travis Wall Dismissed From Tour After Sexual Misconduct Allegations 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. The company also published a new code of conduct. Hicks, who was working as the convention announcer, was in his early 30s. He said he found the work climate to be too sexualized to continue there. I could feel the relationship change because I basically rejected the offer. It was my church, he said, but now the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.. In 2018, 14 years later, he decided to tell his family, and then confront Wallace directly. I felt very invalidated, Ellis said. A Toronto-born teen alleged a famous choreographer propositioned her for sex just hours after judging her at a 2012 Break the Floor convention. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. 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. Lindsey, from California, said he started exchanging text messages with the 34-year-old choreographer. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. 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. 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. \"It was my church,\" he said, but now \"the whole dance scene feels dirty and tainted.\"","type":"genericimage","credit":"John 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night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him. While not all of the complainants in this story were involved with Break the Floor at the time of the alleged incidents, those accused of wrongdoing have played key roles in growing the companys reach and popularity. The Toronto Stars story, which was published Thursday, detailed widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior at the North America-based Break the Floor. Travis Wall Removed From Dance Tour After Misconduct Allegation 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. Influential dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say - PBS And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. 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. Leyendecker, 21 Trans Icons You Should Know on Transgender Day of Visibility, 12 Photos Celebrating the Earth and the Male Form by Steven Menendez, Gay Model and Social Media Influencer Jeff Thomas Dead at 35, 30 LGBTQ+ Religious Saints Throughout History, Trans Flight Attendant Kayleigh Scott Has Died, Right-Wing Drag Queen Lady MAGA USA Now a 'Costume Artist', Montana Governor Signs Gender-Affirming Care Ban Despite Nonbinary Son's Pleas, Easterseals Highlights Alarming Accessibility Gaps for Disabled Americans, Hannah Gadsby's New Netflix Show Is 'Something Special', Bernie Wagenblast, the Voice of New York City Subways, Comes Out as Transgender, Montana Governor's Nonbinary Son Lobbies Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills, Tennessees Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Challenged by Department of Justice, 12 Lesbians Who've Made U.S. Travis will not be traveling with BTF until weve had the opportunity for a third-party to look into these allegations, Break the Floor said in a statement shared in the dance companys Instagram Stories Friday. I didnt really understand why communication was cut off. Who's who in the break the floor investigation. Dancer Nico Lonetree, of Saint Paul, Minn., alleges he was propositioned for oral sex by BTF employee Vincent Hicks via texts while they both worked at the RADIX BTF dance convention on Feb. 11, 2017, in Houston, Texas. 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. 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. 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. It is one of the most exciting events of a young dancers life, recalled Keanu Uchida, a professional dancer from Ottawa. Be sure to follow "We take this very seriously and will take further action if necessary. "In. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him. We remain committed to these initiatives and will continue to learn and be better.. At 16, Hudson looked forward to the festive weekend gatherings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n $(document).ready(function() {\n $('.SA_response-container').click(function() {\n $('.SA_hidden', this).toggle();\n });\n });\n ","wallHtmlBody":". 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. 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 was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. 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. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual misconduct that some readers could find distressing. Travis Wall is being accused of giving a minor crystal meth at a hotel party. She says she didnt attend any auditions and returned home devastated. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue., Nick Lazzarini: My Apology and Promise to Do Better. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically. One staff member said Stroming showed him a nude photo of one of the students. So the boy was playing on the floor with these toys, like not even . Thank you. Travis Wall Cut From Break the Floor Dance Company Tour Amid - Yahoo 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 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.. He added new conventions and new locations, branching into Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada. rights reserved. Seven sources say they saw Stroming interact with students in ways that appeared intimate and inappropriate. Break the Floor has a fervent following. He was a teenager in 2004, assisting a successful tap dancer named Danny Wallace, who was not with Break the Floor at the time. However, Lavallee said Wall told him he had romantic feelings for him, and thought of him as his best friend. 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.. "In the past, Break The Floor's policies and procedures did not focus on these issues as closely as they could have. 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.. 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. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. ","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. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Due to the investigation, the dance company said it will be looking into the accusations further. 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. BTFs website shows the company still employs Wall, who is currently scheduled to be part of a BTF-affiliated dance conventions 2021-2022 faculty. 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. I would not have stayed silent, said Wendy in a phone interview with the Star. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. ","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. 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. But as Stroming grew the company from a dance convention into an industry powerhouse, he also allegedly perpetuated a culture of sexual misconduct and silence, where dancers were assaulted, harassed and manipulated, according to interviews with dozens of former and current staff and students. I believe if I had been taken seriously at the time I came forward with my experiences, this could have prevented another person from finding themselves in the same position that I was forced into, Ellis said. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. An Ottawa dancer working as an assistant for the company said the same choreographer, then 31, groped him in public. Lazzarini denies subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. 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 . Inside a Manhattan hotel, one of those choreographers Clarke idolized was now propositioning her for sex, she alleges. ISLA CLARKE Ex-BTF Student NICK LAZZARINI Ex-BTF staff Lavallee said Walls disappearance left him feeling unmoored and now feels he was being groomed for a sexual relationship. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. But the sexual climate behind closed doors is deplorable to me. Accusation was leveled against SYTYCD alum in Toronto Star report about widespread sexual harassment at the dance company, (Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that Wall was not cut from Break the Floors tours, but suspended pending investigation.). 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. 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. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. Alumni and faculty have danced onstage with Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, at the Oscars and the Super Bowl. He said that he and Lonetree flirted with one another before the text in question. The relationship did not progress further physically, Lavallee said. Break the Floor faces new sexual misconduct allegations