Fro in the Know

the car.

2010-11-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

John: Ugh...why is there so much traffic?
Lys: It was like this yesterday. Don't you remember?
John: Oh ya.
Carson: Is it all coming back to you now? (Presses play on the ipod...and Celine Dion's "All Coming Back To Me Now" plays)
Lys: I knew that was going to happen. Faggot.

At Least 5 minutes of laughter.

Let the good times roll.

Too Beautiful For Words.

2010-10-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Changin my life....

2010-09-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

If ya want a good read...and you're an actor (or just think acting is interesting)...you should probably read this book. I'm only about half way through it and it's unreal. Peace.

I do! I do!

2010-08-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

Ok...so it's been such a long time. Here is an update...short and sweet.

Finished here:

Did this:

Signed with them:

Did this show:

In rehearsals for this one:

Life is good. I'm really really happy.

it is time.

2010-03-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy....my favorite sunglasses, college food, Katie Thompsons' song "Do You", and THAT musical.

amen.

so much love.

2010-02-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

Crepuscule

2010-01-30T23:30:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks,

You should come see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! It runs Feb 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20 @ 7:30pm. (with a matinee on the 20th at 2pm)

Click HERE to buy tickets!

Thanks,
Lys

the funk so brother

2010-01-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

I like:

1. Bee rehearsals.
2. That my Anthro professor speaks in Standard American and I laugh for the whole hour...every time we meet.
3. That Ben, Zach, and I freak out every time we drive past Pleasant Grove because it smells like broccoli cheese fart.
4. My hair..."really it is pleasant to the touch."
5. That Carson and I dressed up as burritos for the MDT Fiesta.

I don't like:

1. The robber who broke into my car. Wallet and iPod are no more.
2. That John and I found condoms at the dollar store...I feel really weird about that.
3. That my feet NEVER get warm lately. What the?

Hey that's pretty good! 5 likes and 3 dislikes.

2010. What?

2010-01-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

Yes. It is 2010. Weird. Christmas was great. Being home for 6 days was awesome. Rehearsals are amazing. My Spelling Bee cast is fantastic. I am excited for 2010. Here we go!

This is a little music vid that Chris, Hayley and I made when I was home...if you want to feel like you are on acid...you should probably watch it.

tis the season bub!

2009-12-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

best friend Nina (Shlina) home from the mish! love her vrery mruch

new headshots suckas!

Simmons Family Christmas Card '09

I start Spelling Bee rehearsals monday- so stoked! And then go home for Christmas wednesday morning. Merry Christmas everybody! "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" (you got it Buddy...)

really good day

2009-12-07T23:17:00.000-08:00

It went like this:

1. Woke up before my alarm went off...love that.
2. Got bundled up in a good sweater, my good jeans, uggs, and my new black H&M pea coat.
3. Walked to class while listening to "Winter Wonderland"- totally appropriate.
4. Learned some things about stuff.
5. Ate a really good protein bar that tasted like banana bread.
6. Went to auditions and held Kym's baby the whole time...I love that child. He fell asleep in my arms...loved it.
7. Walked home and fell pretty hard. Why snow? I liked you for like 4 whole hours...dumb.
8. Watched "A Muppet Christmas Carol".
9. Went to the jacuzzi with Cars, Ben, Kristen, Eric, and Jolyssa.
10. 11pm Wendys run for Toffee Coffee Twisted Frosties...Cars and I's latest obsession.
11. Writing a blog post.

Really good day. Amen.

"Alone"

2009-11-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

I came home after a 5 hour rehearsal to find a wonderful present in my room. My besters Chris and Hayley made me this music video. I love them very much. Don't worry...I will be making a music video in reply very soon. Enjoy!

My New Favorite Thing-

2009-11-01T22:28:00.000-08:00

is "Modern Family". I love it because in the same episode it can make me laugh:

AND can make me cry:

"We do strange things for the people we love. We lie to them. We lie for them. There may be some bumps along the way but we never stop wanting the best for them. That's what makes it such a tough job. Kind of the best job in the world." -Claire

Grim Grinners

2009-10-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

"Boff" and "Blerg" the pumpkins...what would we do with out 30 Rock? Die.

This is my favorite time of the year- fall festivities, anything pumpkin (especially the pumpkin bagel with pumpkin cream cheese at Einstein's Bagels...yum), pretty colored leaves falling from trees, and dressing up!

This is amazing:

How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son

updates

2009-10-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

I'm about to open this-

on November 11 at BYU. Click here to buy tickets.

I just got cast in this-

as Olive Ostrovsky :) It's the 1st regional production in Utah! We open February 4, 2010...more info to come.

You know what thats called? Growth.

2009-10-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

So I am learning lots about myself and the world around me lately. More than I usually do. I really like it. Its hard...because change is always hard...but its really good for me. These are some of the things I have learned-

1. I am ridiculously hard on myself. When I can't get something perfect the 1st time...I freak out. I need to stop that and say, "Yes, I failed...or messed up...or freaked out...but WHAT DID I LEARN FROM IT? and HOW CAN I BE BETTER NEXT TIME?"

2. I really love what I do. It's hard on me emotionally and physically but I just love it. I am a dork and I wake up every morning and can't think of anything else...unhealthy? Perhaps. Whatever.

3. I have no idea what I would do with out my family. They are the grounding force in my life. Today I watched "What I Like About You" and "Full House". I hate both of those shows...but they remind me of my sisters...so I watched them.

4. My friends are fantastic. Especially those who are honest with me...even when its hard and I am being dumb. B and Zachy have been especially wonderful lately. Love love love them.

That's all for now.

clutch my shield

2009-10-01T19:14:00.000-07:00

I love:

"Willy Wonka" family sleepovers.

"Who's Josh Groban? Kill yourself."

Carl, Marge, and friends.

the truth

2009-09-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

things I love this day:

1. seeing old friends/making new ones.
2. singing "In His Eyes" with Brinkerhoff.
3. my auditions class.
4. SPOON ME with lots of yogurt chips.
5. glee.

things I don't:

1. black leotards and pink tights. the ballet dept. may as well serve all the girls bulimia for breakfast.
2. the fat idiot who walked into our building and said, "this is where all the homos live..."
3. my phone battery.
4. liars.
5. rude people.

ps. the last 2 are on my "I always don't love you" list. Now we're clear. ok, bye.

gratitude

2009-08-23T01:46:00.000-07:00

my seester.

my john john/temple.

pro-boarding with hay.

the REAL 500 days of summer bench. suck it summer fin.
love,
lys

Chapter 30: The Campout

2009-07-31T13:20:00.000-07:00

Once Upon A Time,

There were 3 friends who called themselves the Mustaches. They loved each other a lot. They loved adventures. One night they decided they wanted to conquer the forest...and of course by the forest I mean Chris' backyard. With the help of Mr. Tilley they pitched a tent and set up camp. The night consisted of a delicious feast (peanut butter oreos...my new obsession), mysterious creature watching (Twilight), and telling tales of the past. They fell asleep and slept 5 beautiful hours...but at 6am a violent RAINSTORM began...and of course by violent rainstorm I mean the sprinklers turned on. The Mustaches fought the flooding rains for 10 minutes straight! They could not leave the shelter because an extra heavy rain flow was right outside the door of the tent...(the sprinkler was right there...). When the rains subsided the brave 3 Mustaches came inside and fell into a deep sleep in the young Chris' room. They dreamt of good memories, good friends, and great adventures soon to come.

The End.

Identity Crisis

2009-07-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

So I did a staged reading for a new musical on July 27th at the Gallery Theatre in Anaheim. It was an awesome experience and a great little show. The cast was FANTASTIC!

Natalie Watson- Alyssa M. Simmons
Kyle Fairbanks- Tonoccus McClain
Ashley Gorgeous- Leslie Hiatt
Brad- Carson W. Twitchell
Claire- Daysha Hannemann
Steve- Chris Tilley
Shelly- Kanami Shimanuki
Natalie's Mom/Ms. O'Brien/Secretary- Jessica Caravella
Dr. Myer- John Massey
Dr. Chandra/Bill Provolone- Christopher Utley
Bob- Kenton Chen
Brittney- Amy Ganser
Tanya- Hannah Simmons
Goth Kid- Kevin Jordan

It's Such A Perfect Day

2009-07-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.coldplay.com/videostrawberry.php

amen.

key of me

2009-07-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Things that I really really love today:

This stuff gets me through the day teaching camp.

William Fitzsimmons song "I Don't Feel It Anymore" = amazing.

"Away We Go". Life changing.

Hope For Me Yet

2009-06-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

"Baby if you could love somone like me
Theres no end to the possibility
Hopes and dreams push away the pain and regret
But loving you just lets me know
There might be hope for me yet
Hope for me yet"

- Marc Broussard -

mainstreet the musical

2009-06-08T21:11:00.001-07:00

Sometimes Reality Is Better Than Dance

2009-06-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Our new documentary. Enjoy.

this commercial...

2009-05-30T23:14:00.000-07:00

just makes me want the 2010 Prius that much more.

todays favorite things...

2009-05-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

day after day, we find the will to find our way, knowing that the darkest nights will someday see the sun-when our long night is done...there will be light.
-next to normal

Meditation is the way. There's a difference between meditation and prayer, though both practices seek communication with the divine. I've heard it said that prayer is the act of talking to God, while meditation is the act of listening.
-eat, pray, love

I never thought I would actually like a dog...but Shapoopie is bomb.com
-me

hannah's new solo. love it.

~Back from the Nordic Countries~

2009-05-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well, tour was an adventure! In 27 days we did 17 shows, 12 firesides, and over 20 outreaches/workshops. It was jam-packed but I loved it. After 2 years of the group...its over. It was so bittersweet as we did our last show and I knew it would be the last time that that specific group would perform together. After I striked my last costume rack...it felt good. I really felt like I could say- "I served my best for 2 years...and now its time to move on- to experience new things and meet new people. I feel at peace."

Now, I'm home and in a bit of a post tour slump....going from "go go go" to "nothing" feels weird. Its good to see the fam and relax...but I've gotta get goin. I've set some goals for the summer and I feel like they are totally accomplishable. Well, here are some fun photos from tour!

home

2009-04-19T23:16:00.000-07:00

and glad about it! I especially love that tonight when Grace was praying she said, "please bless that our sleep will nourish and strengthen our bodies..." I about died.

7 days to relax...then TOUR!!!

-thank heavens-

2009-04-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

for this...

If...

2009-04-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

you want to be put in a "make you think movie" coma and then feel like a changed human...you should watch this movie. For reals.

This week-

2009-03-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

1. I overheard a guy on campus on the phone saying this- "If only I had the secret elixir...then I could totally win the contest."
2. I have weird scratches and bruises all over my body...and no recollection of how they got there.
3. Leslie found a straight piece of hair on my head. One hair. Weird.
4. I watched Top Model and remembered how much I hate the make-overs this season.
5. I tried to phonetically write Danish and Finish words...that literally sound like a human barfing.
6. I had my first zit in 3 months. Seriously.
7. I played Apples to Apples in a french dialect in class.
8. I ate a delicious cupcake from a new bakery called "The Sweet Tooth Fairy"
9. Johnny and I watched Beaches and cried real hard.

the week is over now...and I can't sleep. Gosh darn my long sunday naps.

I NEED....

2009-03-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

this yogurt...

and this place...

and these kids...

pronto. please!

Walk-A-Bout 09

2009-03-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

I was in desperate need of a break from everything. Sooo, I took one. On Friday afternoon Preston, Ashley, and I packed and got in the car. We wrote down numbers and North/South/East/West on index cards and put them in a hat and drew. We drew a couple of times and ended up in Lake Powell! Friday night we stayed in Ticaboo which is about 5 miles from the lake. We competed in the olympic sport of "bed jumping", played "speed project runway", and listened to fun playlists. We woke up and drove to the lake. After about an hour hike we ended up in a little bay. We named it APA (Alyssa, Preston, Ashley) Bay. We played in the sun and found a cave of wonders. Then we decided to hike back and hit the road again. This time we ended up in Manti. We went to a cute little bed and breakfast and created our own pies! It was heavenly. We stayed at the Manti Motel and had another fun filled night. We woke up and had a little sunday morning picnic at the temple. On our way back we stopped at a few places to see some interesting sights. It was absolutely glorious. A miracle of a weekend.

dearest jenny latimer....

2009-03-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks for telling me about this grand song. You're pretty cool. Ok....really cool.

remember...

2009-03-17T23:37:00.000-07:00

that time my little sister is unreal? yeah, me too. This vid. was 3 years ago...she only gets better. Seriously.

amen.

babs bash

2009-03-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

On saturday night I went to a Barbara Streisand movie marathon party. It was grand. As I was RE-watching these classics, I RE-learned some things about myself and life. Here they are:

1. I am more of a gay man than I thought. I know EVERY line of Funny Girl.
2. I cannot watch the end of Funny Girl with out hearing my dads voice in my head saying- "Lys, watch Nick's body language. Watch it. See, he doesn't love her anymore." Just like he did when I was 12 and saw the movie for the 1st time.
3. Michael Crawford has done sooooo many musicals....why? Confusion.
4. Tommy Tune's face should be next to the definition "lurpy" in the dictionary.
5. Babs has to mention her nose at least one time in every film. I'm sure she had it in her contract.
6. I'm terrified of marrying a Hubble.

The End.

"a very lys" mosiac

2009-03-16T14:00:00.001-07:00

Preston showed me this on facebook so I decided to post it here. Pretty fun.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is your name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What is your hometown?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. What is your favorite movie?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What is one word to describe yourself?
10. How are you feeling right now?
11. What do you love most in the world?
12. What do you want to be when you grow up?
13. What makes you laugh?
14. What makes you cry?
15. What are you great at?
16. What are you terrible at?

The Colours Theatre

2009-03-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

You know those ideas that you have as a little kid that are just so great and you can't really ever let them go? Well, mine is great. I seriously want to make this happen....here it is-

Its called "THE COLOURS THEATRE". Its a a Restaurant/Theatre

Lets start with the food- pretty much anything you want...but here's the catch: you can order any dish in any COLOUR you want. So, if its purple mashed potatoes you desire...no problem!!

The actors are also the waiters...but they pick characters from the show and wait on tables as the characters.

When dinner is done everyone walks into the theatre together to see the show!

So thats my place. My friend DJ and I are going to open The Colours Theatre together. I really do hope it happens someday. I still like to think about how fun a place like that would be.

sometimes

2009-03-14T00:45:00.000-07:00

Ya just gotta be grateful for the consistent things in your life. There are SO many unknowns in my life right now and I'm tellin ya- I am so stinking glad for the people and the things that I have everyday. These are them:

You really do make the world taste better. Thanks for that.
What would I do with out you my friend? Dunno.
Ahhh, yes. No chap chap chapioca everybody. Love.
Thanks for being cool and making fun music for me to jam to. You guys are great.

The greatest TV show invented. "Gimme, your fingernails!"- Moonvest over at CBS

You are not 5. You love me. I love you. We're crazy and have serious talks too. My favorite boy.

My seesters. The loves of my life.

And last but def. not least- my dad and mom. My best friends. The ones I can always count on.

That's all. Peace, love, and hair grease!

baby baby

2009-03-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

here is a little video zach, carson and I made about a month ago. love it.

ok, ok, ok

2009-03-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

Ha...well its been a while...so much has happened! Christmas came and went- it was splendid. This semester has gone SO fast. Its bizarre to think that I only have about a month left of my junior year. 10 day tour to New Mexico and Texas was an adventure! Tons of shows, workshops, firesides, outreaches and special host family experiences :) I loved every minute of it. We had our last YA show in the states on saturday and my mom came to see the show. We got a hotel in Salt Lake and just slept in...went to lunch...and watched a marathon of America's Next Top Model. Ha, we're such dorks. I loved just doing nothing. Now, I am sitting wide awake because of daylight savings. Great. Well, here are some fun pictures that I love. Ok, bye!

-lys

Thanksgiving

2008-12-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

Wow, Thanksgiving was amazing. We all have so much to be grateful for. I went home tuesday morning and came back to Provo sunday night. It was a great 4 days of pie, family, friends, and happy times. Now I've just got to finish up this semester and then Christmas break!!! Here are some pictures that we took while I was home.

I used to rule the world...

2008-11-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

I am learning how to trust COMPLETELY. Even when something hard happens that I can't understand at all. I am learning to be hopeful. I am learning that Faith is essential. I am learning lots. It's been a hard week. Lots of tears and lots of struggles. The most important thing is that through it all I am learning to keep perspective. It's hard, but good.

Saturday night Cars, Ash, John John and I went to the Coldplay concert. It was truly A-mazing. We had some grand adventures- here is a little video that I put together to remember our night.

Click here

I'm going home tomorrow morning!!! Yay!

"Live at the Loft"

2008-11-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

My good friend Taylor decided to start a Broadway Cabaret Night! The first night was Nov. 13 and it was a blast! It is going to be a fun little weekly outlet to work on some audition stuff and play with friends.

To watch "Don't Rain on my Parade"

Click here:

It was especially fun because I got to sing with this kid!

To watch "Secondary Characters"

Click here:

Once

2008-11-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

Its been a while.

Sometimes I get scared that I'm not relishing all the important moments of my life. I'm nervous that I'm going to wake up married with kids and not remember anything before that. I have been having so many experiences that are helping me grow. I am so grateful for the people, the places, and the things that have happened in my life. Especially the hard times. They've helped me grow. When I'm in a funk- like I kind of am right now- I can look back on "hot tub" times. Realizing that when you've had an "and" and you're back to "or" it makes the "or" mean more than it did before. As a 20 year old kid- I feel like I'm forced out of my Neverland. According to society I am not allowed to live there anymore. I want to. I want to play. I learn so much everyday...sometimes I can't express all the things that I've learned in 1 day.

Wow...I just read this...and it is so scattered...ha. Well, anyways, thats all.

Fall Festivities

2008-10-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

This past week has been amazing...but insane! So busy. I was so glad that on saturday night I was able to spend time with Cars, Prest, and Ash- carving pumpkins, listening to "fall/halloween music", and going to Hee-Haws for all the fun fall festivities. We went through the corn mazes, played in the "corn box", shot corn out of the shooter, went on a hay ride, made our way through the haunted forest, and played in the "boo-house"! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was so much fun. It is a craaazy 21 credit semester, so it is easy to get stressed and frusterated, but I know that the people, the places, and the things that I experience will be the college memories that I will treasure. Happy fall!

what it means

2008-09-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know a lot right now...but I know a couple of things. These are them-

1. I love my Mom, Dad, and sisters and they love me back...even though I'm really dumb sometimes.

2. Good friends are always good friends...not just sometimes or when its convenient.

3. Talk to God. He wants to listen.

4. Reading the scriptures is hard...but we've got to. They teach us.

5. "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."

Well...they are kinda random...but they're the things I know.

I believe...I believe...I believe

2008-08-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

"And all shall fade
the flowers of spring
the world and all the sorrows
at the heart of everything

but still it stays
the butterfly sings
and opens purple summer
with a flutter of its wings

the earth will wave with corn
the grey-fly choir will mourn
and mares will neigh
with stallions that they mate
foals they've borne

and all shall know the wonder
of purple summer..."

After a 2 year wait...I finally saw Spring Awakening. Say what you will about the show, but I had an experience in that theatre on saturday night. It was amazing to see a story about learning to survive through all of life's challenges. Sometimes it seems impossible, but the flowers of spring will fade (the hard times don't last forever) and summer will ALWAYS come. In order to progress in this life we have to be given trials. When people leave us when we're not ready or prepared- What can we do? The most important thing is what we do with those experiences. Do we put them away in a drawer- never to be seen or touched? We shouldn't dwell, but we need to take the knowledge and allow it to be a part of our inner being. I'm grateful for art that teaches lessons that we can apply to our lives.

"Now they’ll walk on my arm through the distant night
And I won’t let them stray from my heart
Through the wind, through the dark, through the winter light
I will read all their dreams to the stars

I’ll walk with them now
I’ll call on their names
I’ll see their thoughts are known

Not gone –
Not gone –"

All I know is that I believe, I believe, I believe.

now & then...

2008-08-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

Today was the "Laramie" reunion. My best friends and I did The Laramie Project my senior year and it was an experience that all of us will never forget. We learned together. We grew together. We loved each other. We were the Laramie Family. Over the past 2 years we have all grown so much...we're all over the place- from LA to the East Coast to good old Utah. Today we had the chance to reunite...all of us. It was great. I love REAL things and I always have. What we had then was real friendship. Real family. Real "if you were half way across the world and in trouble...I would find a way to get to you." Though all of our lives are in VERY different places now. We still have that something. No we don't talk on the phone everyday. No we can't spend every waking moment with each other like we used to. But what we had then was true...and what we have now is true.

Doc: I remembered something to myself. The night he and I drove around together, he said, 'Laramie sparkles, doesn't it?' And where he was in that spot up there, if you sit exactly in that spot up there, Laramie sparkles. With the low-lying clouds, it's - uh - it's the blue lights that bounce off the clouds. And it goes over the whole city. I mean, I mean, it blows you away. And Matt was right there in that spot. And I can just picture - in his eyes - what he was seeing. And the last thing that he saw on this Earth was the sparkling lights of Laramie, Wyoming.

Thanks for still sparkling family. I love you all! Laramie=Love.

Whatdya talk kid?

2008-08-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

Well...this is neat. I'm just enjoying my last few weeks of summer before the madness of fall semester kicks in! I'm finishing my last few performances as the daughter in the Dream Home at Innoventions, going to the beach and playing with my family...and of course unconventional olympic sports with Hayley and Chris. We recently tackled "fountain swimming" and this week we plan to palm tree climb and mustache hip hop class before Chris leaves for England. Well, I guess I'll blab more when I actually have something to write about...ok, peace!