Lauren Lee Innis-Youren | Actor
Lauren Lee Innis-Youren
Reviews
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24.01.2022 I took some sage advice today and rested. My Virgo brain wanted to work and push through, but the rest of me felt depleted and (dare I say it) uninspired That took a lot to admit that to myself... I know this will pass, and I’ll feel reenergised before I know it For the first time in so long I gave myself permission to sit with this feeling of emptiness. And strangely enough, I feel better for it.... Productivity is not always a cure for creative fatigue. Photo: Millyjane / Photography
24.01.2022 2021 - New Hair, New Goals. Let's do this
24.01.2022 Happy birthday, my love! Miss you so incredibly much and can’t wait til it’s legal to visit and hug again #happybirthday #loveyou #missyou
24.01.2022 WIP: Lost My Mind 17/02/21 Day 5 of Melbourne’s snap lockdown and I finally had a play & did some recording. I think this is the first time I’ve posted my own music as an actual post (and not an Insta-story that disappears after 24hrs)...? Anyways, hope you like this little snippet!
22.01.2022 Watch this space
22.01.2022 How heartbreaking to see this beautiful theatre so empty! Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, you are a true champion of the arts. Thank you for fighting so hard for the safe return of musical theatre!
21.01.2022 One of my favourite things about Canberra is seeing my Snow Sister @taylorkunkel1 So proud of you, sis! I want to come princess with you at @onceuponamemoryaus sometime!! Included: a cheeky throwback to @millyjanephotography’s photo of our Snow Sisters at @themagicalbrunch #snowsisters #catchups #loveyou #ilikewarmhugs
21.01.2022 I just love EVERYTHING about this photo! Taken at Silver Spoon Estate (check them out for an at home wine tasting!) by Millyjane / Photography (Brisbane - get on her for photos when you can, and also check her out on Dear Fire, for brilliant design!) with my darling Patrick Hill (I miss him so much!) for Swellegant Entertainment (gonna sing so many songs!!) It all makes me so happy!
19.01.2022 Left the house for brunch for the first time post-lockdown We’re back in business now, Melbs! Love our local Northside broadway for perfect brunch dates
17.01.2022 This is not our dog just a cheeky visitor from next door! Rusty dog likes to come over and say hi without his humans, and today he decided to keep me company while I filmed a new video for Swellegant Entertainment. He is a good boy
16.01.2022 Well, hello there! 10 weeks without you, but you still sweep me off my feet. Welcome home, Patrick Hill
15.01.2022 Just found out my album has been played on a radio show in Adelaide! I’m over the moon! I love Adelaide; I hope I get to go back to Adelaide Fringe next year and do a bit more exploring out in the beautiful wine regions - I guess we’ll wait and see how these border closures and restrictions go... The album has been getting some lovely feedback. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can find it on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and you can buy the actual physical album itself at www.laurenlee.com.au
14.01.2022 Long Distance Duet: Somewhere Only We Know Filmed in Mount Camel - Taungurung Country, Australia & Pinery Provincial Park, Canada. Song: Somewhere Only We Know by Keane (Lily Allen version) This one is a little different to my previous videos, or anything done for Swellegant Entertainment , as the duet isn't between two singers, but rather between myself (a singer) and Julia Stewart - Circus Artist , an incredible aerialist and recent graduate of École Nationale de Cirque in ...Montreal. During Melbourne's 2nd lockdown, Julia and I were chatting about how awesome it would be to perform together one day, and I thought "why wait?" and we concocted a plan to film Somewhere Only We Know from our own little corners of the world. Add in to that the mix and mastering done by Andrew Kirkby all the way over in the UK and you've got one well travelled little project! 2020 has brought so many unexpected challenges, but it has also brought opportunity to grow and adapt. Making long-distance duets was something I'd always wanted to do with my friends, but never had the time to pursue - this year changed that and I finally got to fulfil that goal. Experimenting with different styles and songs, and exploring the technical side of it all has inspired a new goal and passion in me, and I'm curious and excited to see where that leads to next. Watch this space!
14.01.2022 Throughout this lockdown I have: studied aspects of the musical theatre industry outside of the usual singing/dancing/acting taken courses on social media curation recorded a lot of theatre songs designed and redesigned websites... filmed and edited music videos auditioned online YouTubed my way through learning how to use new video editing software made friendships with people I’ve met in person once or twice at the most, some not at all taught baby-music over zoom redecorated the house found ballet, yoga, and body combat classes and the motivation to do them at home by myself spent solid time with my family planted a garden lost weight gained weight saved money spent money bought indoor plants listened to stories from a diverse range of voices taken a stand broken down thought about what was actually important... And to be honest, I don’t know if I’ve really done those things very successfully but I have done them! I feel like my whole future plan has been torn down, cut up, stuck back together, and reframed. Sometimes I have no idea what I’m working for - other times I feel like there’s something out there for me, I just don’t know how to define it yet. Something has changed and shaken the core of all the choices I’ve made leading up to this point... but it’s kind of exciting. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel pressured to be something, and maybe that’s ok? I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. I do acknowledge that this introspection is a product of my privilege; I’ve been very lucky and not everyone has this kind of opportunity. I’ve learnt so much, but I’m still learning, and I want to help others find their light more than I ever have before. #lockdown2020 #inspiration #isolationcreation #change #findingme #whatayear #somethingscoming #beyourbestself #lifeisweird
13.01.2022 WIP: I Want To Be... 19/2/21 I shared a snippet of this song to my Instagram story yesterday and it turns out a fair few people wanted to hear the full version Thank you to everyone who sent me messages and commented encouraging me to take the leap and post the whole thing Sharing stuff this personal and raw is hard, but here I go! Still a work-in-progress, but I hope you can still connect with it as is. Love you all x
13.01.2022 I wasn’t sure if I was going to post this, but then The Magical Brunch shared a photo from our Brisbane show of my gal Elsa with my goddaughter and I figured it must be a sign! If you’ve known me in the last 5 years, you’d know I LOVE Elsa. She is my QUEEN. Getting to tour with her (and a couple of my other favourite princesses) and a bunch of wonderful people in The Magical Brunch last year was an absolute dream come true. I have so many amazing memories from this show. ... I'm always blown away by the happiness Elsa brings to people of all ages. From tiny princesses gatecrashing the stage to be close to her (Callum Bright, I'm looking at your lot!), to the giggling adults who "just can't believe it's really Elsa!" crowding in to get a photo, every show of The Magical Brunch was just incredible moment after incredible moment. The moment that takes the cake though, was spoiling my goddaughter on her 10th birthday with a surprise from each of my princesses - and Elsa, of course, hence the aforementioned photo! I’m missing live performance like crazy at the moment and I'd do this show again in a heartbeat. I'll keep wishing on my star... Mixed + Mastered by Andrew Kirkby
13.01.2022 She’s at it again
12.01.2022 Last week Beenleigh Theatre Group Inc launched their first virtual concert and I was thrilled to reprise my role of Lily Craven from their 2014 production of The Secret Garden alongside Jayden McGinlay - who was much smaller back when he played Colin Craven! The Secret Garden was one of my favourite productions at my home theatre BTG, and this song has stayed in my repertoire ever since. Special thanks to Jackie Fry for making this long-distance duet possible! Make sure to check out Beenleigh Theatre Group Inc 's next stream of their Concert On The Couch series - coming soon.
11.01.2022 Thank you everyone for your lovely birthday wishes I’m so lucky to be able to spend this time with my family, and to keep in touch with those I care about across the miles. You’re all incredible, I feel so grateful Thank goodness for Zoom and FaceTime! Love you all! xx
11.01.2022 What's this? A new video already? Oh my! I'm as surprised as you are, trust me - but yes! I'm back! And this time with some tips to help you deal with all things sinus-y and hayfever-ish! I had to deal with a delightfully sore throat as Spring began to roll in this year, and with the restrictions in place as they are, I wasn't able to get to a doctor right away. So, I turned to home management and kitchen remedies!... Some of these tips are pretty standard "of course!" products that you probably either forgot about or didn't know existed, but tip 3 is my absolute favourite home remedy, curtesy of Mary Setrakian Official and a serious lifesaver when it comes to phlegm and post-nasal drip! Let me know if you've tried any of the tips before, and which one worked best for you! x
11.01.2022 ArtsHub's latest newsletter came with an article about a parliamentary inquiry into the benefits and impact of the arts during Covid lockdowns. There is a survey you can fill out to have your say (I'll link that in the comments), or you can send longer submissions to [email protected] If you want to have your voice heard about the necessity of the arts during times like this and what benefits a well funded arts industry can bring to the Australian public, check it out.
10.01.2022 Ever since I was little, all I've wanted to do is perform and nothing else. Thanks to a little idea that was brought into existence last year, I'm making that dream a reality - and I feel unstoppable! It's a little scary to step out of the box and make your own performance group, but I've got a great team in my corner and huge amounts of support from so many wonderful people - I know it will be worth it! Swellegant Entertainment is my dream-come-true. I hope our music bri...ngs joy and love to your lives, and gives you a smile in these difficult times. x
10.01.2022 I pledge to continue to educate myself, listen to BIPoC voices and amplify them, without speaking over. I acknowledge that the land I create and perform upon was never ceded, and I will learn how to follow through with this acknowledgement, so it doesn’t become just words without action. As an artist with an invisible disability, I will lend my voice to those who are not able to speak out. Diversity in the arts is not a liability. www.istandwiththequarter.com Graphic: Wolfbang #istandwiththequarter
09.01.2022 Nothing like a 2hr sweat-fest at The Space Dance & Arts Centre to celebrate an online friendship turned irl! So amazing to finally meet you in person Akansha Hungenahally
08.01.2022 Some Things Are Meant To Be (Little Women) - Long Distance Duet with Akansha Hungenahally I've been so lucky to connect with Akansha during this lockdown. Not only is she a beautiful singer and incredible performer, but she's also an inspirational individual for whom I have great respect and admiration. I'm so grateful for our friendship, even if we're yet to meet in real life! I think we've done pretty well to put this together long-distance, having only chatted online pre...viously! It's such a joy to work with you, AK! Thank you for creating this with me xx Please follow/like Akansha on Facebook (Akansha Hungenahally) and Instagram (@akhungenahally) and support her work! Stay safe everyone, and hope you enjoy our video!
07.01.2022 Having time to play and create in my parents backyard is something I am so very grateful for right now. Got a very exciting international collab in the works as of today - coming soon!
07.01.2022 I hadn't stopped to really consider the emotional impact of this lockdown... until I filmed this. It suddenly became overwhelming to think about the friends I haven't seen, the loved ones I haven't held, the seriousness of isolation. I cried. I've been so lucky to keep busy recording and filming songs with Patrick Hill and various other talented friends across the country since this all began back in March - but this song really brought it all home for me.... If you're feeling lonely, isolated, or distanced - I feel you. Sending out so much love to everyone out there tonight
06.01.2022 I’m so lucky to get to celebrate Father’s Day for two awesome dads every year Thank you to both my dads for all you do for me, and for the amazing families I get to be part of. Step/half/full - doesn’t matter, we’re all family
05.01.2022 Queenie van de Zandt Love and respect to the hard work of the 30 finalists, but this highlights the underlying issue of diversity within Australian musical theatre. We need our theatre companies and groups, big and small, to listen up and make a change. We need to be better.
05.01.2022 Something new and kinda wonderful happens when I lock myself in the music room and just write. I still have NO idea if anyone but me will ever like these songs, but I’m going to keep writing them anyway and see what happens...
05.01.2022 She's back on the blog! This topic is one I have thought about a lot over the years, and that is my privilege to be able to look at this issue and ponder from the sidelines. The recent world events have really made me stop and solidify my understanding of it. The more I look, the more I see inequality. I want to add my support to those who are striving to be heard, and maybe inspire some others to listen.
02.01.2022 Happy birthday, handsome. So grateful to have you to share my crazy dreams and schemes with. Life is an adventure with you #happybirthday #mylove #adventures #couplegoals #gratefulheart
01.01.2022 I'm so lucky I get to sing with this guy. Even more lucky that he's back home in Melbourne now, facing lockdown together!
01.01.2022 I’m about to flood your feed with this important information on diversity in the Australian arts industry. If you perform, create, consume, or even just tolerate art in any of its forms, you NEED to read and sign this pledge. I implore all artists, especially those who have benefited from privilege, to listen to the voices of #TheQuarter and make active changes starting TODAY www.istandwiththequarter.com #istandwiththequarter Graphic: Wolfbang ... @withregram Akansha Hungenahally Sign the pledge at https://www.istandwiththequarter.com/. Let your community know you stand with them and you're ready to be held accountable if you mess up. Together we can change the face of the future #istandwiththequarter
