Performing for Pink Slips...
Citizen's Bank of Massachusetts
President's
Place - Quincy, MA
LaughingStock Comedy Company faced its most challenging audience to date in a performance for 150 bank employees who had received their pink slips!
LaughingStock agreed to perform for this Rhode Island Bank that had recently purchased Boston Five Cent Savings Bank in Massachusetts.
The performers had no inkling about the specific circumstances of the performance until they began their research into the group. The audience was to consist of operations people whose jobs had become redundant in the takeover of their bank. The new bank President, Robert Mahoney, did not want their efforts during the changeover to go unnoticed and arranged for an ice cream social and comedy performance on a Wednesday afternoon in January. (The coldest January on record!)
The performance had to be on-site during work hours to encourage attendance. The only space available was the unfinished top floor of the bank's office building. Unfinished, as in: bare cement floor, no carpeting, exposed insulation, sprinklers and electrical conduit; no lighting - just temporary work lights strung for the event. The bank brought in 150 folding chairs, a stage, balloons, crepe paper decorations and ice cream sundaes. LaughingStock brought in a sound and light system and three nervous performers!
One of the organizers warned about rumors of an audience boycott: "We're losing our jobs and they're giving us ice cream and a comedy show!!??" Odds for a successful event did not look good.
The bank sponsors and performers held their breath as show time approached. The elevator delivered five and six employees at a time until 135 very disgruntled people filled their chairs. No boycott developed and better than 90% attendance did.
Bank President Mahoney addressed the audience and thanked them all for their efforts during an enormously difficult time. Two other bank officers addressed and thanked the group. These two were also losing their jobs.
As Mahoney introduced LaughingStock the audience was very skeptical. Armed with background research into the group and situation, LSCC took suggestions and created scenes about working at the bank and losing your job. LaughingStock took a sensitive, empathetic approach to the performance - finding humor in even the most difficult circumstances. The first scene revolved around packing up your office and made much mention of stealing office supplies (to the great delight of the crowd). A panel of experts discussed job hunting and how best to not go about the process. Another scene took a comic look at the last person you would want to interview you for a new job. The final scene presented a dream any of the audience members might have after the day at the bank and the ice cream social. It provided a cathartic experience for the audience and reinforced the bank's appreciation for a job well done.
As the performance progressed, the audience came to understand LaughingStock was not there to ridicule them or deny the fact the audience was facing a difficult circumstance. The suggestions to the performers got more and more specific, the laughter came easier, louder and more often. As LaughingStock ended their performance they received a lengthy ovation.
Several of the audience members approached the performers after the show to thank them for the much needed laughter. The sponsors were both gratified and relieved.
It takes experienced, talented, sensitive comedians to engage an extraordinary audience of this sort. Citizens Bank was able to sincerely thank a group of people for a job exceptionally done in truly horrible circumstances."...I had a big time morale issue, and you had the antidote - thoughtful, insightful humor and laughter. The dozens of calls I got the next day were testament to the wisdom of the idea and, most importantly, your execution" Robert B. Mahoney President Citizens Bank of Massachusetts
Road Kills
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