11 April 2008
Play pokes fun at office life
Find out if The Water Coolers garners a giggle from you.
Perhaps it's time to inject a little fun into office life? A work bonding trip to the theater could see you laughing at a pastiche of your corporate culture, if you choose to see The Water Coolers.
This play, currently touring the US, satirizes office culture and should appeal to "anyone who works in a 'cube', logs hours at the office, or even enjoys the hit TV show 'The Office'," says Patriot Ledger.com.
Sit back and have a belly laugh
The Water Coolers production travels to audiences and conferences and is tailored to the interests of the workforce that makes up the audience.
"Everyone works hard. And at the end of the day we all deserve a chance to sit back and have a good laugh,'' says actor and show manager Geoffrey Scheer.
You might be amused by the song 'Who Will Buy This Crap for My Kid's School?'
"The theater affords each person in the audience a chance to see their own life reflected on stage and say, ‘Oh, Everyone goes through this kind of craziness!’''
And humor is what the show claims to offer, including musical send-ups. Audiences filled with salespeople will relate to "Nowhere Close to My Quota'' sung to the tune of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow''. You might be amused by the song "Who Will Buy This Crap for My Kid's School?'', which hits home for everyone whose ever had to buy wrapping paper and scented candles from a co-worker.
CEOs the scriptwriters
To create a funny, smart and authentic take on the workforce, the show is comprised of people from various backgrounds.
The writers are former CEOs and investment bankers, money magazine editors, successful sales managers, and an actor and comedy writer.
Terry McKenzie, senior director, global employee communications and communities at Sun Microsystems told us this April Fool's Day how pranking the CEO by doctoring images of them with mohawks helped to engage employees and spark a bit of fun at their organization.
Have your say
Tell us about the innovative methods you use to encourage collaboration and communication in your company. Do you hold regular "fun" events to help encourage a positive atmosphere? How are such events communicated throughout the company?
Discuss these issues with other comms practitioners by joining the Internal Comms Hub members' group on the Communicators' Network.
Other recommendations:
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How do I encourage innovation in a professional organization, through internal communications?
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