Meryl Streep is getting another piece of hardware to add to her mantle, but this time, it’s not for her film roles. Instead, the veteran actress is being honored by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center for her contributions to theater. She will receive their annual Monte Cristo Award.
Streep began her career in theater before landing her breakout roles in films like The Deer Hunter and Julia. Despite her international fame as the most honored movie actress in history, she has continued to play roles on the stage, notes Variety. She’s been particularly active with Shakespeare in the Park and last year, she did a one night reading of Romeo & Juliet with Kevin Kline.
Two of her upcoming movies are also based on theater productions. She stars in August: Osage County, which hits theaters in December, and in Disney’s musical Into The Woods.
She has deep ties to the O’Neill center in Waterford, Conn., since she worked summers there after she graduated from Yale School of Drama. Her classmate, actor Joe Grifasi will present her with the award on April 21 in New York, reports the Hollywood Reporter.
“The O’Neill is a place unlike any other,” Streep said. “I’m honored to receive this award from an organization so vital to the discovery and support of new artists and work for the American theater.”
Michael Douglas, Christopher Plummer and Kevin Spacey are among the past recipients.
Streep has won three Oscars, most recently for 2011’s The Iron Lady. Her previous wins came for Sophie’s Choice and Kramer vs. Kramer.
image: ABC/Craig Sjodin