AntiGravity, Inc
| File:AntiGravity logo.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Christopher Harrison |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | AntiGravity Aerial Yoga |
| Divisions | AntiGravity Entertainment, AntiGravity Fitness |
| Website | www |
AntiGravity, Inc. is an entertainment company and performance ensemble headquartered in New York City, established by Christopher Harrison. The organization has staged more than 500 shows across 25 nations, with active teams based in New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Canada.
Company history
AntiGravity was founded on November 3, 1990, when choreographer Christopher Harrison was commissioned by the New York Marathon to design a performance for its closing ceremony. Initially called “ZeroGravity,” the group featured athletes, acrobats, and former Olympians under Harrison’s direction and choreography.
The following year, in 1991, the troupe adopted the name “AntiGravity” during a highlighted appearance at the Radio City Music Hall Easter Show.
Corporate events
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, AntiGravity broadened its scope into corporate entertainment by producing exclusive performances for leading companies and fashion houses. Between 1996 and 2000, their clientele included Sony Entertainment, Condé Nast Publications, DeBeers, Canon, Johnson & Johnson, Mercedes-Benz, Motorola, Samsung, Merrill Lynch, and Footlocker.
Their innovative performance style drew interest from technology corporations such as Sun Microsystems, Compaq, and IBM. Noteworthy appearances include AntiGravity’s participation in Microsoft's 20th Anniversary event in 2000, as well as subsequent shows for Bill Gates in 2007 and Microsoft Dynamics Convergence in 2008.
By the year 2000, the company had integrated aerial silk fabric techniques to elevate their acts. From 2001 through 2007, they crafted aerial performances for clients including Jeep, NASDAQ, Unilever, NYSE, PepsiCo, Gillette, and Walmart.
In 2007, founder Christopher Harrison shifted focus towards fitness branding, scaling back corporate engagements to select appearances. Between 2008 and 2011, major clients included Lexus, Louis Vuitton, Hewlett-Packard, and Deloitte.
AntiGravity has also entertained distinguished individuals such as George Soros, fashion designer Giorgio Armani, filmmaker George Lucas, and entrepreneur Richard Branson.
Theatrical productions
The troupe premiered its large-scale theatrical production Circus Diva at the Roseland Ballroom in March 1998, presenting it as a tribute to sexual diversity.
In 2001, Christopher Harrison produced, choreographed, and directed AntiGravity’s Crash Test Dummies, an acrobatic narrative centered on discarded crash test dummies and a janitor’s improbable love story with one of them.
Following the events of September 11, Harrison developed a benefit show titled AntiGravity: An American Band in 2002 as a heartfelt homage to New York City.
In July 2007, Harrison introduced AntiGravity: The Tour at the Hammerstein Ballroom. This production toured multiple venues throughout the United States. The tour was revived in 2010 through collaboration with Banco Santander, performing across six Brazilian cities including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, and Belo Horizonte.
In 2016, AntiGravity partnered with Red Fish Theatre in Orlando, Florida to co-produce The Rocky Horror Show.
Television appearances
AntiGravity made its first television appearance in 1991 during the Miss America Pageant in a segment titled “Extreme Dance,” choreographed by Scott Salmon. That same year, the group performed at the halftime show of the NBA All-Star Game and took part in the “NBA All-Star Stay in School Jam” special alongside MC Hammer.
In 2002, AntiGravity was featured on Fox’s Good Day New York and ABC’s Good Morning America, followed by a 2003 appearance on NBC’s Today Show.
2002 Winter Olympics
The Salt Lake City Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games engaged Harrison and AntiGravity to perform nightly at Medal Plaza. Choreographer Kenny Ortega chose them for the final act of the Closing Ceremonies, highlighting their distinctive “AntiGravity Boots,” which dramatically broke the ice during their routine.
Awards shows
During the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, AntiGravity collaborated with P. Diddy and Busta Rhymes, featuring Usher and Pharrell. In 2003, they performed alongside No Doubt at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards and worked with Michael Jackson at the Radio Music Awards. Their presence was also noted at the BET Awards in 2007 and 2008, where they shared the stage with Nelly, Fergie, and 50 Cent.
2009 Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
Following President Barack Obama’s inauguration in January 2009, AntiGravity delivered an aerial performance at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball held at the Washington Convention Center. This performance was broadcast nationwide by ABC.
SMASH!
On April 2, 2013, AntiGravity appeared on NBC’s Smash in the episode titled "The Parents." They choreographed and debuted an aerial silk routine called Reach For Me, from the fictional musical Hit List, performed during a charity event for Manhattan Theatre Workshop subscribers. The piece was composed by Andrew McMahon and performed by actress Krysta Rodriguez.
AntiGravity Fitness
In 2007, Christopher Harrison, founder of AntiGravity, launched AntiGravity Aerial Yoga—a distinctive fitness method he licensed to gyms including Virgin Active in Milan, Steve Nash Fitness World in Vancouver, Madonna's Hard Candy Fitness in Moscow, and Crunch Fitness locations throughout the United States. Harrison further developed the brand by incorporating elements of yoga, pilates, ballet barre, and strength training into a variety of exercise programs under the AntiGravity Fitness umbrella, broadening its market reach and product offerings.