What Is Work Is a Joke?
Work Is a Joke is an interactive comedy experience about the absurdities of work. We bring everyday professionals together to laugh about workplace culture through one-minute stand-up sets, interactive games, workplace storytelling, and unexpected moments of connection.
And here's the twist: The comedians are people just like you.
Some people take the mic. Others jump into the fun from their seats. And some just sit back and enjoy the shenanigans.
No comedy experience required. No forced participation. Just a room full of people who get the joke because they've lived it.
Comedy is the vehicle. Courage is the invitation. Connection is the outcome.
Part comedy show. Part social experiment. A whole lot of corporate nonsense.
Why We Made It
Work has gotten weird.
Heartless layoffs. Endless meetings. Corporate jargon. AI slop. Performance reviews that make absolutely no sense.
Somewhere along the way, we've normalized a lot of ridiculous things about how we work.
And we've started treating our jobs like they're our entire identities.
We're not anti-work. We're anti-forgetting-that-we're-human.
We believe meaningful work matters. But there's more to life than our jobs and we are more than our titles.
Comedy gives us permission to laugh about the things we've stopped questioning. To recognize how absurd some of our workplace norms have become. And maybe even imagine how things could be different.
But it's also about something simpler.
Getting out of the house. Meeting interesting people. Trying something new. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
Because sometimes the best way to connect with someone is to realize you've both survived the same ridiculous meeting.
What Happens at an Event?
Public shows run about two hours. Each show mixes some or all of these segments:
One-Minute Stand-Up Sets. Everyday professionals try out workplace comedy, many for the first time.
Fake Pitch Competition. Attendees pitch ridiculous made-up businesses through improv comedy.
Hire My Friend. People tell the room why their friend deserves their next professional opportunity.
Workplace Confessions. Anonymous work stories submitted by attendees and shared with the room.
Anti-Networking and Drinks. One rule: nobody asks "so, what do you do?"
Fake Employee Badges and Corporate Headshots. Because every good company needs onboarding.
Segments can be adapted for private and company-sponsored events.
What Work Is a Joke Is (and Isn't)
| What it is | What it's not |
|---|---|
| Participatory and interactive | Another networking event |
| Playful | A traditional comedy show |
| Human | A professional conference or business happy hour |
| Designed for connection | A place to name-call or bash your coworkers or employer |
| Built around a shared experience everyone understands: work | An anti-work rally. We still care about doing meaningful work |
Do I have to perform?
Absolutely not. Participation is always optional. Some guests perform stand-up, others join interactive activities, and plenty simply enjoy watching.
Do I need comedy experience to do a set?
Not at all. Many performers are trying stand-up for the first time. We provide preparation and coaching so you feel ready.
Is it okay to come alone?
Yes. Please do! Work Is a Joke is designed to make meeting new people easier. You don't need to arrive with a group to have a great time.
Is this an anti-work event?
Not even close. We believe in meaningful work and the people who make it happen. We just think some of the things we've normalized about modern work deserve to be laughed at.
Where do events happen?
Work Is a Joke started in Kansas City and has expanded to other cities, with more events on the way. Check our upcoming shows for the latest locations and dates.
Can I bring Work Is a Joke to my company or conference?
Absolutely. We create customized interactive comedy experiences for company celebrations, conferences, sales kickoffs, customer events, and more.