Kevin Gillese

Kevin Gillese (born 24 December 1980)

Gillese left college to take up improv. and hosted a cabaret night at the fringe with Amy Shostak.

Gillese has toured across Canada and internationally with the show Hip Hop 101, as well as with his improv show, Scratch, which played twice weekly in Edmonton when not touring. He appeared with Arlen Konopaki in Scratch at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in 2008, and they toured Europe for six weeks at the end of 2009.

Gillese is the co-writer, co-creator, and executive producer of the short series Hart of America. The series was a product of Gillese's long time collaboration with Arlen Konopaki, and was based on their long-form improv format developed through their show Scratch. Hart of America also stars his wife, Amber Nash. Additionally, Gillese co-wrote and directed the show Battle Space Wars, also based on his Scratch shows, in February 2015.

Gillese is known as an arts leader who promotes diversity initiatives in theatre, specifically those that empower women.

When Dad's Garage lost its long-term base in 2013, Gillese led the search for and acquisition of a new home for the company. The initiative coalesced around the renovation and rezoning of an old church. Part of the funding for the move and renovations was derived from a successful Crowdfunding campaign that mobilized Dad's Garage's fanbase and supporters.