Everything you need to know about the Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament matchmaker system

No, WIT hasn’t gone into the business of setting people up on dates (although a good number of WIT improvisers have discovered far more than a love for improv on our stage!) 

While improv does indeed help people connect in more ways than one, our matchmaker system has a unique purpose: to match individuals wanting to take part in WIT’s annual Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament (FIST) with teams that are looking for an additional player(s).

The maximum number of people allowed on a FIST team is four, so coming up with the right combo of characteristics and experience requires a deft hand. WIT’s External Relations Director Dan Miller — the mastermind behind the matchmaking tool — explains how it works.

Check out this FAQ to learn all about our beloved annual tournament which will be held Thursdays to Sundays from March 20 to April 19 in the Milton at Studio Theatre. 

Question: Rumor has it that you have a particular talent for pairing performers together and creating highly compatible teams. To what do you owe your success?

Dan Miller: Rumor has it? I love that people are talking about me! ::swirls martini::

The continued success of the Matchmaker is due to the fact that it keeps growing in popularity. The Matchmaker’s first year was in 2018 and 19 people signed up. Last year, 66 people signed up. The more people who participate, the better I can match with folks who share an experience level and improv sensibility. It helps that the folks who sign up are coming into it with an open mind and are just ready to have fun!

Who is the system designed for and how does it work in a nutshell?

Dan: Improvisers of every experience level sign up for the matchmaker. We get current students who want to pursue their first performance on the WIT stage. And then we have folks who are experienced improvisers who either want to mix it up with new players or who don’t want to hustle to find a team. (In fact, multiple FIST champions have signed up for the matchmaker!) Oh, and we also get a lot of people who are new to the WIT community and use the Matchmaker as a way to get into the scene.

The process is super simple: you just fill out a brief form telling me your experience level and play style. The matchmaking process is a bit of a game of Tetris with a few easy fits and then some calculated judgement calls. I’ll set you up with a team a few days before the sign-up deadline so you have a few days to communicate your availability and determine a team name before signing yourselves up.

Has a team that you put together ever won the title or become serious contenders?

Dan: We’ve come close! For several years, matchmaker teams kept getting further into the tournament every year. In 2023, the team Skeleton Key (Morgan Burris, Urmila Janardan, Eva Lewis, Eli Okun) made it to the finals!

But really, the biggest payoff for me is getting to connect people who may not have known each other in advance (or maybe not known each other well). It really goes to the core of WIT’s goal of building community. Matchmaker participants have gone on to forge unexpected friendships and create creative partnerships with each other. The matchmaker team The Can’t Evens (Elizabeth Cutler, Meghan Faulkner, Goli Samimi, Danielle Steger) went to the semi-finals during their FIST run and now they continue to perform as an indie team. I can’t tell you how much it warms my heart to know that my little service helped spark a meaningful creative endeavor.

What advice would you give to players, who are considering placing their FIST fate in your hands?

Dan: If you’re thinking about doing it, just do it. You have nothing to lose. At the very least, you’ll meet a few new people and get to have a fun show. Everyone in the matchmaker process is taking a leap of faith, so you’re all in the same boat and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. 

As a reminder, here are this year’s FIST deadlines, which are fast approaching:

• Matchmaker process: Monday, Feb. 3 Thursday, Feb. 6 at noon. Here’s the sign-up form.
• Team registration: Thursday, Feb. 6 Sunday, Feb. 9 at 11:59PM. Sign up to compete.
• Sponsorship: Friday, Feb. 7. Learn more.