Joseph Stockdale
editJoseph (Joe) Stockdale (born in Michigan, November 1925) is an American author, theater director, and educator.
Stockdale developed his lifelong love of theater by writing and acting in high school plays and by attending shows at the Kalamazoo Civic Players, the Kalamazoo State Theater, and Detroit's Cass Theater. Moving to New York City in 193x, he studied acting at the Feagin School. During World War II he served in the hospital corps of the US Navy, assigned to the USS Wyoming. When demobilized he used his GI Bill to attend Western Michigan University and then enrolled at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill for a master's degree. While still a student at UNC, he joined the cast of the outdoor historical drama Unto These Hills, first as a replacement for an actor who had to leave the company in mid-season. His versatility led to his returning to the company in later seasons, switching from role to role as the director saw need.
Stockdale began teaching drama at the university level immediately after finishing at UNC. He applied to several schools, was accepted by xxx of them, and decided to accept the offer from Purdue University in Indiana.