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. The Toronto Stars story, which was published Thursday, detailed widespread sexual harassment and predatory behavior at the North America-based Break the Floor. Donald Padgett October 25 2021. 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). Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. 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.. Hundreds of studios and schools from. "In. He remembers Meismer shushing him; someone was asleep in a nearby room, Meismer allegedly warned. Warning: This article includes accounts of alleged sexual misconduct that some readers could find distressing. For Myles Lavallee, that blurred student-teacher relationship began with BTF instructor Travis Wall. 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. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. ", The day before, the company posted another statement on its Instagram account. 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. 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. In his first 10 days as CEO, he said he let four people go because of credible allegations of misconduct. BTF TV. Lazzarini has denied subjecting anyone to unwanted sexual advances. Former Break The Floor instructors have been accused of abusing young dancers in other settings. The only reason I could think of was because we didnt take it further romantically.. [Winners] get the most attention and respect. Another dancer who says he reported his harassment to BTF management is Patrick Ellis, 26, from Baltimore, Md. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto 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. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Wallace did not respond to questions about those texts. 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. A year or so later, shortly after her 18th birthday, Stroming flew the dancer out to New York, where he told her he had lined up dance auditions, she says. One night, Schaufeld said, Wallace pushed him up against the wall and forced oral sex on him. Tennessee Rep. Scotty Campbell resigns after harassment violation 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.". At her first company event, when she was 17, she and Stroming had oral sex, she said. Keanu Uchida, photographed in Montreal, said many student dancers at Break the Floor endured inappropriate sexual advances from their instructors. Lavallee said Wall flew him around the United States to help him teach choreography to youth in a dance studio and other conventions. One dancer alleges he was 16 when Wall gave him ecstasy and methamphetamine, and now believes Wall was grooming him for a sexual relationship. "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. 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. And so Schaufeld stayed quiet. Famous Break the Floor instructors accused of sexual harassment | The Star Several individuals have recently stepped forward to publicly express their feelings of hurt or betrayal based on interactions they had with me between 2012 and 2020. After the Stars October 2021 story published, dancers came forward with more than 15 additional accusations, about Stroming and Break The Floor faculty. Male Dancer Accuses Travis Wall of Sexual Misconduct and Grooming. Afterwards, Schaufeld said Wallace told him never to say anything; it would be bad for both of their careers. 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. "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. ","type":"text","isParagraph":true,"isHeading":false},{"text":"Thats what Gary Schaufeld alleges happened to him. 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. Wall has previously said "accusations against me are false." When I began teaching dance, I did so with the singular goal of helping individuals discover, develop, and express their truest selves. Break The Floor - Break The Floor - Break the Floor Productions Discover breakthefloor allegations 's popular videos | TikTok 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.. 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.. 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. Former DancerPalooza instructor, Eric Saradpon, has been charged by the Riverside County. And whats egregious about seeing it in the context of conventions is that it happens to kids. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #breakthefloor, #dontbreakthefloor, #breakthelimitations . 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. Stroming picked up Lazzarini at the height of his fame to join the convention circuit, teaching hundreds of thousands of aspiring young dancers. Three of these dancers were under 18. When Ellis explained that he recoiled before Lazzarini actually touched his genitals, he alleges Stroming declared it wasnt actually sexual harassment because he didnt actually touch me.. with photos from Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Break the Floor has a fervent following. Travis Wall Dismissed From Tour After Sexual Misconduct Allegations On Oct. 1, BTF kicked off its fall season with an event in Toronto at an airport hotel. 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. A dance instructor alleges Stroming offered her $500 to come to his hotel room. The Star/AP spoke to the dancers father, who said that in the years following, she told him about what happened with Stroming. Lindsey said he eventually sent nude photos back when he was 17. He is no longer with the company, according to Break The Floor. 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. ","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. 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. Lonetree now questions whether he was punished for speaking up. https://t.co/213nsiNJ73 Morgan Bocknek (@mobocks) October 21, 2021 To order copies of Due to the investigation, the dance company said it will be looking into the accusations. In dance studios, Hudson said Meismer would guide him into bathroom stalls for oral sex. Yet, I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love and thank them for their patience and grace. My resolve is unwavering. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star The AP and Star have not seen these messages because Maples said theyd been deleted. Mega dance company bred culture of sex, silence, dancers say 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. To get anywhere, like here, you have to do whatever the teachers said, you know what I mean? The next summer, Ellis said he approached Stroming at the Dance Awards, the biggest BTF event of the season, to tell him how Lazzarini had harassed him. The Star's investigation found that eight former staff and students at Break the Floor alleged that company staff "initiated sexual conversations, propositioned them for sex, sent them nude photos, sexually harassed them at work or engaged in sexual relationships with them.". however he still holds a major position in the company, and it is rumoured that he is paying off news networks and social media workers to remove/not write negative posts about him.