He began his career as an actor studying at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Indiana Repertory Company, the Alley Theatre, Civic Light Opera of Pittsburgh and The Production Company which he co-founded and for which he directed a number of plays.
In 1980, Epps made his theater directorial debut with the Off-Broadway musical Blues in the Night. It was revived in 1982, this time on Broadway. Since then he has directed a number of other stage productions on Broadway and in regional theaters namely Scenes and Revelations, Play On!, Blue and Purlie.
In 1997, Epps became artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse. Despite the financial trouble the Playhouse has endured since the 1980s, Epps has continued his role in bringing back the popularity of theater to the venue.
↑Klein, Alvin. "The Duke and I", The New York Times, March 30, 1997. Accessed October 17, 2011. "BORN 44 years ago to St. Paul (a minister who always found someplace to preach) and Kathryn Epps (who taught home economics in Thomas Jefferson Junior High School in Teaneck), Sheldon Epps lived in Los Angeles until he was 11. We moved to Teaneck when I was in the seventh grade, and there I stayed through junior high school and through college, he said.... He discovered theater when he performed in a summer musical program at Teaneck High School."