History of ScripTease

ScripTease, now into its 11th year of producing High-Risk, risqué improv comedy, was founded by Sara Lovelady and Johnny Davis in Santa Cruz, California. After performing together in another improv troupe the two decided to start their own troupe. Both had visions of what they would like to do differently. One vision was to "up the stakes" by instigating consequences for their actions to get the audience even more into it. The other thing they wanted was to introduce and lure people into the theater who don't consider themselves "theater-goers." The consequence became stripping an article of clothing whenever an improviser, or Teaser if you will, made a mistake on stage. That is if we could convince the theater that this would not offend anyone... much. During the show we told the audience that during a ScripTease show we have some scenes called "Strip Scenes." These scenes have certain rules, and it is up to you - our audience - to enforce them. If you catch us breaking a rule during a "Strip Scene" you yell out "STRIP" and we promptly take off an article of clothing, much like strip poker. It was a hit. We were a cross between a burlesque show and freak show while still delivering quality improv. After that ScripTease started performing regularly in sold out venues year after year. 11 years later ScripTease continues to perform in sold out venues in Northern California, some of which are 300 seaters with a deafening "STRIP!" bellowing into the night from the audience. ScripTease is very proud of their benefit work for many causes such as the Second Harvest Food Bank, funding for brain tumor research, aid to numerous 9/11 charities, and helping to keep local theaters alive and running. Many times wo would hear people say that ScripTease lured them away from their couches and TVs for their first theater experience and that they have become turned on to the whole live theater thing. Over the years ScripTease has had many Teasers leave their laundry on stages all over Northern California. And starting beginning in February of 2006 the Los Angeles Teasers began scattering their scivies onto the stages of Los Angeles. Please take a moment to see what audience members have said about their ScripTease Experience. Come expose yourself to comedy!