Born in Norwalk, CT and raised in Redding, CT, Joe found his way into the theatre community in a bit of an unusual way.
Redding, CT is a very small town about an hour train ride to NYC. A rural neighborhood more populated by deer than people, it was an interesting contrast to the major city nearby. As the eldest of 3, functioning as babysitter and "cruise director" amongst is siblings were Joe's first stabs at performing. Along with his sister and brother, he would make up stories running through the woods, build leaf piles and snow banks, and do whatever it took to stay occupied.
As a simultaneously bucolic and highly-educated place, Redding allowed Joe to develop eclectic hobbies. He played ice hockey from the age of 4 through his freshman year of college, and he enjoyed hiking and swimming. His first job, which he held through the beginning of college, was working for the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). During his time there, Joe learned carpentry, auto mechanics, forestry, and the use of heavy machinery. When not at work, Joe attend Joel Barlow High School with kids whose parents had fast cars, big houses, and expensive toys. Having so much know-how from his job, Joe often got to help take care of and partake in the upkeep and usage of these things, giving him an appreciation for their responsibility and power.
This hockey-playing-car-racing boy was also performing in the school's choirs and musicals. The first 2 roles in which Joe was cast, thanks…