Three Year Swim Club and a Nine Year Friendship

When Meryl Streep accepted her third Oscar for The Iron Lady, she wholeheartedly thanked all her friends and colleagues throughout her career.

"...This is such a great honour, but the thing that counts the most with me, is the friendships and the love and the sheer joy we have shared making movies together..." Her speech deserved an Oscar itself. (Click here to watch)

I wept, humbled by Meryl's grace and humility, as did most of the viewers and the people in that room.

That's Meryl, for ya.

And speaking of friends in February, I attended the opening night of a friend's latest artistic project.

My very good friend Keo Woolford made his Los Angeles director debut in East West Player's current theatrical production of Three Year Swim Club. 

Three Year Swim Club, currently in its last week of performaces, is an LA Times Critics Choice.

As someone who knows the director personally, Three Year Swim Club is just as Keo is; mesmerizing, clever, honest, uplifting, courageous, compassionate and truthful.

When Meryl spoke of her friends in her speech, naturally it made me think of all the friendships I have developed through the years in the acting world. 

I thought of actors I've met in my travels for work, to the ones at homebase (both of them) that I've known for over ten years, who have continued to influence and inspire me in my life, long after the curtain was drawn.

Watching my friend Keo grow from the actor I met in 2004 to the actor/director/writer/producer I know today...I am beyond proud and grateful. 

It is a very transient lifestyle, the occupation of an actor.

The special relationships we connect to and are able to hold onto year after year, no matter where each of us are at the time, are the ones we cherish the most.

Friends that truly believe in you, that stand for your greatness, that show up; the friends that embrace and accept your growth and change...those are the friendships and relationships that are helping to create your life.

I have never had a friend more invested and continually committed to my spiritual growth, as an individual and artist, than Keo.

I have grown, in part, from the direction he has given me in my life.  So...

Congratulations Keo, on your Three Year Swim Club, and thank you, so very much, for our nine year friendship. 

(photos courtesy of the Oscars, Keo Woolford, and yours truly)

Yours Truly -- Ann Hu