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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
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