Joe Sheridan is an actor, director and set designer for the Little Theater and Kiss Theater in Wilkes-Barre. He has been a cake decorator and from 1997 to 2007 owned floral shops called the Clay Pot with locations in Larksville and Forty Fort. Joe is also a retired substitute teacher who taught at Wilkes-Barre Vocational Technical School and Luzerne Community College. Sheridan, 58, is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Misericordia University where he received a degree in special education and early childhood. He and his partner of 20 years, Judy Fried, have two Tsitzu dogs named Dori, 9, and Butch, 1. They adopted Butch on Christmas Eve after he was rescued while wandering the streets. They live in Kingston.

Your life’s endeavors over the years are probably as diverse as the characters you have portrayed when acting. How did you get involved in the dramatic arts? “When I was a sophomore in high school I was very shy. A friend of mine asked me to come out and audition for ‘The Mouse That Roared.’ I got a pretty big part, the Sultan of Bashir, and things kind of took off from there.”

So you pursued acting in college as well? “Not originally. I attended Kings College and when I transferred to Misericordia I needed credits in public speaking. The theater director there, Rusty Anderson, gave me an independent study and had me tryout for a role in ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ I got the part of the Mad Hatter. I enjoyed that so I also auditioned for a part in ‘Little Mary Sunshine’ and won the part of Captain Big Jim Warrington.”

You mentioned that you were a cake decorator. “I did it in college for a bit and when I chaperoned a class of mine on a field trip to Disney World I was persuaded to audition as a performing cake decorator. They were hiring someone who would decorate cakes while hamming it up in front of a crowd behind a glass window. I actually got the job but did not take it due to some of the time constraints and logistics.”

When you graduated college what did you do? “I started out substitute teaching at Wilkes-Barre Vo-tech but was not able to get full time. I also taught floral decorating at LCCC. Students and faculty there would ask me where or how I would get certain ideas for floral arrangements, so in 1977 I opened floral shops called The Clay Pot in Larksville and Forty Fort. At the same time I opened the stores I was offered full time at Vo-tech as an intermediate life skills teacher and I took it. I worked both jobs for two years but it became too much so I settled on the flower shops.”

During that time after college what were some of your most memorable moments? “Many of my memories revolve around the theater. I got to do summer stock in Connecticut and I met some celebrities while attending Broadway plays in New York. Locally, I acted in several commercials ranging from Quik Joe to Rainbow Jewelers ads. I was the priest offering to buy the couple’s gold jewelry during the wedding ceremony. It was very humorous. I take great pride in my work as a set designer as well. I have worked on sets for King’s College, Wyoming Seminary, Crestwood, Western Wayne, Kiss Theater and Little Theater to name a few. I love the way sets add layers and details to a venue or performance. I have to say my most memorable role as an actor was when I played David in the play ‘David and Lisa.’ It was the most challenging as I played the part of a man with deep emotional problems.”

If someone were to buy you a TV series or movie on DVD for a gift, what would you like them to get for you? “Any of the NCIS or CSI type of shows. I hate reality television. Any old black and white classic movies would be welcome, as well as the original version of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and anything with Betty Davis or Marilyn Monroe.

First car you ever owned? “1963 white Ford Falcon with blue interior and ball fringe. I paid $175.00 for it and sold it three years later for $350.00.”

Favorite food? “I like to cook. I mainly like down-home cooking, maybe chicken. I’m basically a meat and potatoes person.”

You said you have been involved with the Little Theater here in Wilkes-Barre for more than 30 years which is in its 89th season. What do we have to look forward to from you and the theater? “We already opened the season with ‘Into the Woods,’ which I directed. Now we are preparing for the opening of ‘Forever Plaid’ on January 21 which I am also at the helm for.”