Break the Floor company is taking appropriate measures to investigate the allegation of inappropriate behavior made against its Emmy-winning choreographer, Travis Wall.
This comes after the Toronto Star published a recent news story accusing him of s*xually questionable behavior.
Given the seriousness of these claims, Break the Floor will engage a third party to look into this accusation and ensure that any conduct that took place within their organization is properly addressed.
Break the Floor is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all its dancers and staff members, ensuring that all employees are allowed to work in a culture free from harassment or discrimination.
Break the Floor has issued a statement expressing their decision not to allow Travis to travel with the company until a third-party investigation is conducted into recent allegations of s*xual harassment and inappropriate behavior.
It is evident that they are taking these claims seriously and will take longer action if it is deemed necessary.
According to the Toronto Star’s report on Thursday, several former students and staff have accused Break, the Floor employees, of initiating s*xual conversations, sending unsolicited n*de photos, s*xually harassing them at work, and engaging in inappropriate relationships with them.
Their commitment to providing an environment for everyone to feel safe and protected is essential for Break the Floor.
Myles Lavallee accuses former dance teacher Ian Wall of the beginning grooming him when Lavallee was 16 and Wall was around 20.
It is alleged that Wall began to make sexual advances when the two were staying over at Lavallee’s parent’s house in Arizona for a nearby teaching course.
According to the Star, Wall gave Lavallee ecstasy during their stay, after which they proceeded to give each other hand massages. Having sensed danger, Lavallee invited a friend over.
Shortly after the visit, Wall abruptly cut communication with him–which could possibly be the result of avoiding potential sexual engagement with Wall.
The dance community, in particular, has been forced to confront uncomfortable questions in recent times, and the controversy surrounding Ryan Wall is undoubtedly the latest example.
Certainly, there have been accusations made against him that he fervently denies. Unfortunately, for both sides, neither Wall nor Break the Floor have provided immediate responses to TheWrap’s request for comment as of Saturday.
Whilst Wall told a separate outlet through his publicist that his accusers are incorrect with their claims, it appears that such an assertion was not enough to save him from being cut from Break the Floor’s tour in light of these accusations.
With the company thoroughly emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a safe working environment via its statement on Instagram Thursday, we can assume this decision had been well thought-out beforehand.
Break The Floor has long been committed to providing its staff and students with a secure, safe environment.
While we have looked upon our existing policies and procedures in the past, the last 18 months have seen incredible leaps forward for BTR.
Through Youth Protection Advocates in Dance training, we successfully implemented revised faculty codes of conduct with Wade Robson’s assistance and updated company policies and procedures entirely focused on safety.
We take this conversation seriously and are passionate about positive changes within the dance industry as a result of our hard work.
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