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For members of the local improv troupe ScripTease, shedding their civvies is all in a night’s work.

When the seven-member comedy group kicks off its summer season Friday night, you’ll see each Teaser remove an article of clothing when he or she breaks one of the funny rules.

We spoke with Johnny Davis, one of three directors of the Santa Cruz troupe, about the time he bared it all in the name of comedy.

We also tested his improv skills by throwing a couple of random questions at him.

What went down the time you got naked?

Johnny Davis: Everything went down.

Sometimes we try to put ourselves in a position where we look like we’re going to go all the way, and I was in a position where it looked like I was going all the way — and I did.

What happened next?

Davis: I had to do the rest of the show.

That was the first time any of us had to do that. I kept on finding props to strategically get in the way.

I think everyone had their fair share of peeks at me. It made it interesting — it created a challenge.

Do you guys try to prevent that from happening now?

Davis: No more than usual. If it happens, it happens.

All the Teasers said afterwards that it looked freeing — that it looked as if the ice had been broken.

What do you think about fire? Good invention?

Davis: I love fire. Fire is hot, man.

What’s going to be different about Friday night’s performance?

Davis: We’re constantly working on new material, so there’ll be new types of scenes.

We’ll be concentrating on summer as a theme. Traffic or whatever the audience can relate to.

We’re constantly taking classes and teaching each other new tricks.

Oh, and we’ll be showing off our new tan lines.

What are some of the tricks?

Davis: Everything we do revolves around teamwork. We’re always trying to make things seem complicated, but make it work by being on the same page.

We’ll take certain aspects about improv, like storytelling or genres, and we’ll work on them together. Each person takes turns leading rehearsals.

What’s your favorite planet?

Davis: Earth. This place rocks. I can’t believe so many people want to go to outer-space so badly when there’s so much to do on this planet.

Tell me about some of the other members, of the group that is.

Davis: It may be Jeff Perkins’ last show with us.

He’s a total local favorite. He’s moving to L.A., but he may come up here and do special performances.

We’re sad this is his last show as a regular.

Daniel Hughes is one of the guys who’s really made ScripTease. He programs all the music for the show and really keeps things going.

He’s brought a huge fortune of sexiness to the troupe with his costuming.

Kristen, Carmen and Brady are the newest additions to the troupe.

And I could talk forever about Sara. We’ve been doing improv together for seven years. September will be our fifth year anniversary with ScripTease.

She’s like the mother hen of the troupe. She keeps it together and brings in a lot of new material to work on.

Contact Travis Semmes attsemmes@santa-cruz.com.

If You Go:

What: Improv troupe ScripTease.

When: 8 p.m. Friday.

Where: Santa Cruz Art League’s Broadway Playhouse, 526 Broadway.

Tickets: $10; $8 for students and seniors.

Details: 429-1136 or log on to www.scripteaseimprov.com.

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