He speaks of comedy as a mirror for what’s going on, soaking up the culture of the day and spitting it back out in a form that makes people laugh.

But, when Kevin Gillese withdrew from university to tour with an improvised comedy show, his parents didn’t get the joke. He was sure he was making the right move. Now, at 28, he says, “My work is absolutely my identity”—and anyone who has seen him perform will agree.

At 15, he picked up garbage after shows like Theatresports so he could watch for free. “As a young man, I got my first taste of the stage at the Varscona Theatre.” His appetite hasn’t waned.

Kevin studied comedy writing and performance at Humber College in Toronto, and returned to Edmonton to become artistic director of Rapid Fire Theatre. In the province that made improv a Canadian art form, he is the youngest artistic director of a major theatre company. His boundless energy gets him through the production of two weekly shows, a high school festival, an annual international improv festival, and numerous touring shows.

Kevin’s career has exploded: He created Scratch, his two-man show that was the most toured improv show in the world this season. He has directed and produced films and has multiple television credits. He was nominated for an AMPIA award for his latest short, Dog Watch, screened at the Edmonton International Film Festival. His first major big screen success was as director of Turnbuckle, a film showcasing local talent.

The entertainment industry can be tough, but Kevin’s willpower keeps him pushing forward. “I have a pesky ambitious streak,” he warns. “It’s important that what I do resonates with a certain degree of intelligence.”

Kevin credits Edmonton’s openness and its fantastic audiences with propelling his career. “If I had grown up somewhere else, maybe those opportunities wouldn’t have been as present for me.” He’s aware that if he had lived in Toronto or Vancouver, he may not have reached the same level of success so soon. Edmonton, however, is small enough for talent to stand out. He makes time to nurture young performers and to contribute to the community. Every year, he and Rapid Fire artists perform free of charge at a number of charity fundraisers.

Kevin’s unique blend of mediums—hip-hop and comedy—has made him a great freestyler. He’s only partly joking when he says, “I would trade it all to be a hip-hop star for sure.”