Fun at Work (ePub)

This second edition of Fun at Work pushes the bounds of Art-As-Research by using the arts as the subject, the method, and the presentation of research. Improviser Extraordinaire Lauren Stein leads eight co-workers of a Toronto tech firm through explorations in improv, ranging from simple games to multi-character plays, asking them to journal their responses. Meanwhile, the author becomes pleasantly surprised by the effect this has on her world. Follow Lauren's journey of development in confidence, self-perception, balance, and empathy. Everything you need to know about the history of improvisational theatre, and comparative theories in therapy and theatrical healing, is artfully told between accounts of the six sessions. Discover the findings of Lauren's original research presented in an accessible, amusing manner you will not soon forget. Following up with her participants five years later, Lauren delights in discovering the long-term impact of her fun and deceptively simple workshops.

This is what they had to say: "I truly believe that improv has a huge impact on how people can work together. For us, it was a fun way to play for two hours a week, and that was it for me. I went about my business. It transformed us in ways we didn't even realize."

"It helped me empathize with others, and see that I'm not the only one with imposter syndrome. Because of the workshop, I'm more able to put myself in others' shoes. That's helped with my career, especially when I disagree with my boss."

Now that the corporate workplace has overwhelmingly shifted to people's homes, there's no better time to rethink corporate culture and what the office will look like when people return.