The Virginia "Jenny" Madden Award for Graduate Student Leadership and Service

The Virginia “Jenny” Madden Award for Graduate Student Leadership and Service is named in honor of Virginia “Jenny” Madden for her many years of service to the Graduate School, the Staff Senate, and the University of Louisville community. The award recognizes a master’s degree recipient who exhibits leadership through service to the recipient’s program, college, discipline, the University as a whole and/or the community. MichaelJoseph QuentinAnthony Barber is this year’s recipient of the Madden award.

MichaelJoseph is an actor, playwright, and educator who is graduating with an MFA in performance in the Department of Theatre Arts here at UofL. His mentors are Professors Catron Booker, LaShondra Hood, and Ariadne Calvano. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech with a concentration in theatre from Jackson State University. During his time at JSU, he taught theatre and film to underserved students with Amiable Productions, a non-profit organization. Following graduation, he was accepted into the MFA playwriting program at Hollins University and the MFA performance program at the University of Louisville.

Throughout both programs, MichaelJoseph has strengthened his passion for community outreach as a mentor, teacher, and performer. He teaches theatre arts to young scholars with the Louisville Central Community Center and frequently collaborates with local artists to foster healing through the arts. Perhaps because of his deep connection to his beloved HBCU alma mater, Michael Joseph has been a committed advocate and contributor to the African American Theatre Program at UofL. He has engaged thoughtfully with every guest artist, participated in each community enrichment activity, and served as the MC for events such as the annual MLK Day celebration. This past summer, Peace Presbyterian Church conducted a “Rites of Passage” program focused on positive messaging for African Americans—a program serving participants from ages 2 to 100. Michael Joseph worked with ten-year-olds providing young people with a powerful model of a Black Male Artist and formed meaningful bonds with youngsters who deeply needed such representation.

This past summer, Peace Presbyterian Church conducted a “Rites of Passage” program focused on positive messaging for African Americans - a program serving participants from ages 2 to 100. Michael Joseph worked with ten-year-olds providing young people with a powerful model of a Black Male Artist and formed meaningful bonds with youngsters who deeply needed such representation. MichaelJoseph aims to continue to build a successful artistic career while using his research and experience to support underserved communities.

MichaelJoseph aims to continue to build a successful artistic career while using his research and experience to support underserved communities. 

The next steps for MichaelJoseph are to finish his MFA in playwriting, and then to obtain a talent agent to continue his artistic career in theatre, television, and film. He hopes to build community globally to continue telling the stories of those unseen and connecting with those who are forgotten.