In January 2010, Gillese began his term as Artistic Director of Dad's Garage Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia.
He appeared with Arlen Konopaki in Scratch at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in 2008,[5] and they toured Europe for six weeks at the end of 2009.
[7] 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.
[10] 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.
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.