WIT NEWS ITEM | The Return of the FIST

THE RETURN OF THE FIST...

POSTED 2.19.08

The battle for the ultimate prize is upon us.

The Tournament of the FIST returns February 28th, and DC's improv community is ready to throw down big time. Ahead of the chaos that's sure to come, Washington Improv Theater.com sat down with WIT Artistic Director Mark Chalfant and FIST Commissioner Justin Purvis for a sneak peek at this year's expanded competiton...


Thanks for taking the time to talk... you guys wanna introduce yourselves?

Justin: I'm Justin Purvis, I am a founding member of WIT's ensemble, Caveat, and I am the Commissioner of this year's Tournament of the FIST.

Mark: Mark Chalfant, Artistic and Executive Director of WIT. Within FIST, I'm just another starry eyed improviser hoping to achieve glory with my team. As AD, the best and most important decision I made for FIST was designating Justin as the Commissioner. He dove in immediately and has done a fantastic job getting this rocket ready to launch.

Wow. You're getting right in to it, aren't you? So the Tournament of the FIST is on again. Explain to anyone who might have missed it the first time exactly what is going on...

Justin: The Tournament of the Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament is a 3 X 3 elimination style improv tournament. Teams of three performers battle it out in single elimination matches until there is only one team remaining. Last year's tournament was on a much smaller scale, so it was easy to overlook, but since it was such a great success, we have expanded on it and made rebuilt better and stronger than ever. We have the technology.

Mark: We do. It's the improv equivalent of Mortal Kombat. It was created last year as a way to allow WIT players a chance to play with folks from outside their own troupe. Another fantastic outcome was that it got people playing in different formats and styles, which was great for everyone to see.

Why bring it back?

Justin: It was a rousing success last year and we wanted to create some fun annual events that could bring the DC improv community together.

Mark: It was one of the most fun things we did all year. And the players within WIT were calling for it. Plus it's a great acronym.

What is different about this year vs last year?

Mark: The scope of the tournament. Last year was the pilot, so I wanted to keep it contained and manageable. There were nine teams total. This year I really wanted to open it up to DC's greater improv community, so we're looking at 29 teams.

Justin: We opened up the event to WIT students, as well as colleges and professional improv organizations in the DC area.

Mark: We really tried to accommodate as many folks as we could, though we still couldn't quite get everybody--maybe next year.

Like many bracketed tournaments, this one has seedings. How is that all worked out?

Mark: The Commissioner can answer that best.

Justin: The seeding is based on the cumulative amount of improv experience on each three man team. The bracketing is similar to the standard sports brackets, but has been altered to put each competing team on a more even playing ground for each of the initial matches.

How will the winner be decided from round to round?

Justin: The winner will be decided by the audience in attendance at each match, as facilitated by the Commissioner.

What will the winner of the whole shebang walk away with?

Justin: Bragging rights for one. Possible future shows in the next WIT run. A cool T-Shirt. A big hug from me.

Mark: The love, respect and possible envy of every improviser in Washington. Plus the most intimidating resumé bullet-point you can imagine.

Justin: Yeah. Oh, and probably some great groupie sex.

Aside from that, what are you guys most looking forward to this time around?

Mark: Getting to see so many improvisers perform who are new to me.

Justin: The intermingling of troupes, students, and players from outside of WIT. Any time you have a bunch of people getting together to play, it is always a blast.

What's your biggest fear about the tournament?

Mark: Violent riots breaking out if crowd members disagree with the Commish's call. That, and my team being one of the 28 teams who will ultimately lose.

Justin: That these teams are so fricking hot that a fire breaks out and kills thousands. That would really suck.

Let's say I come to a few of the shows and get totally sucked in... I want to be on a FIST team of my own. What do I need do?

Justin: Get on the WIT mailing list. Take a class with WIT. Come see the WIT shows. Date Justin Purvis.

Mark: Let's get through this year's tournament and then we'll see. I hope we learn how we can make the next FIST even better.

Give us the insider's take on things... who should everyone watch out for in this year's competition?

Justin: Honestly, I think the ComedySportz teams are going to be bringing an intensity... some of those players have been working together for over a decade. They are the teams that I am keeping my eye on, my unbiased eye on. That and Team Justin Purvis Rules! What a great team name!

Mark: I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't point out that "BOOK!" is going to wipe the floor with its opponents. Also, I saw Odin's Revenge as they were taking pictures in what I can only pray are their show costumes: the wigs alone intimidated me something fierce. But what's really cool about the tournament's structure is that any team has a chance to go all the way: they just need to win every match. No pressure.

What are the benefits of a show like this for WIT as an organization and the improv community in DC, both on and off stage?

Mark: Giving people a chance to improvise with new faces is a huge benefit all around. Just seeing so many names on the team rosters whom I don't know well gets me excited about how much energy there is in Washington for improv.

Justin: The Tournament of the FIST is like an extended family reunion. You've got cousins and aunts that you never knew existed bringing over their hash brown casserole and jello molds. And you get to know them better, and maybe make new friends. Anytime you can bring the improv "family" from one city together, it's never a bad idea. Only good can come from this kind of consolidation.

Nice. Thanks again for taking the time... any parting thoughts?

Mark: Last year's Commissioner Josh Patten gave some great perspective during the tournament, when players were getting bummed at being eliminated. He just reminded us that everyone except three people would eventually join the Losers' Club in the tournament. So there's a lot of great talent in that club. The important thing in any fight, be it to the death or not, is to play with honor.

Justin: Have fun, laugh hard, and make a friend. This year's FIST could be the thing that gets you through 2008.


Tickets for the Tournament of the FIST are on sale here. Check back soon for more information on this year's combatants and exclusive interviews with the winners and losers. The revolution will be improvised. FIST!

WANT MORE FIST INTERVIEWS?

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Click here to see what happens when WIT co-workers face off in battle!