Temporary Space LA will present a special performance of Thoughts & Such, a short performance piece in the form of a play by the artist Richard Shelton, directed by Jen Kays on June  20 at 5522 Wilshire Blvd., in Los Angeles. The performance is free of charge with limited seating. To RSVP, please visit the Events page at www.TemporarySpaceLA.com.

Thoughts & Such examines the complex relationship between a couple together for over 20 years that is contemplating the current state of their relationship and the circumstances that created it. The fires of youthful love have slowed considerably through time. Should they stay together? Would it have been different with someone else? What constitutes happiness? You decide.  Thoughts & Such is directed by Jen Kays and features the talents of Mara Hesed and Michael Dunn in the title roles.

Thoughts & Such is part of the on-going programming accompanying Richard Shelton, 50 Years of Painting. The War Show, the second installment of 50 Years of Painting, will be on view through June 20. Curated by Fatemeh Burnes, The War Show explores the glamorization of war and violent behavior in American culture. Featured in this installation are works from the artist’s War, Guns & Ammo, Handgun, and Expressionist Nudes series. Richard Shelton, 50 Years of Painting includes a timeline that spans the artist’s entire 50-year career and features nearly 2,500 works.

Richard Shelton is an artist whose career spans the last five decades. Primarily a painter, his work bridges to literature as well. His poetry and stories have been published in:  Williard & Maple, Chaffin Journal, Down in the Dirt, The Poet’s Haven, The Eclectic Muse, Pulse Literary Journal, Languageandculture.net and Stepping Stone Magazine, among others.

Richard Shelton's artwork is in the Smithsonian Art Institute's Hirshhorn Museum and other museums in the United States. He has used the human figure to express his observations about the world and the times in which we live. By using the average American as subject, Shelton probes issues of alienation, the insidious ascendancy of corporate culture, and the minefield of gender politics. Throughout his career, Shelton has pursued painting with an unswerving concern to portray the underlying motives of our actions. The ongoing development of his painting technique as well as his perfection of figurative painting set him apart from artists who discard the more rigorous principles of art making.

Jen Kays, Director

Jen is an actor, painter, producer, director, and all around theatre artist living in Los Angeles. She is the Associate Artistic Director overseeing literary and production and has been a Circle X staff member since 2003. She is currently producing Trevor, by Nick Jones. Her work with the company includes literary direction, dramaturgy, producing, acting, and scenic painting. Jen has performed in over 20 productions on the West Coast, including work with Printers Devil Theatre in Seattle, and with Circle X Theatre Co. in Marley's Ghost, Sperm, Bigger Man, Love/Sex or Sex/Love, and Naked Before God.  She was also the Assistant Director on The Sequence at The Theatre @ Boston Court and toured with the rock musical Angry Young Teenage Girl Gang from LA to the NY Musical Theatre Festival and the New York Fringe Festival. Her performance in The Bargain and The Butterfly with The Ghost Road Company toured from Los Angeles to Warsaw and was featured in the 2014 Studio SCR Series at South Coast Repertory Theatre. She has performed voiceover work ranging from pharmaceutical to Red Hook beer. She has produced and directed two audio books by Richard Shelton as well as the audio portion of his exhibition at Temporary Space LA.

Michael Dunn, Such

Michael Dunn is an actor and chef living and working in Los Angeles. Television credits include: The Odd Couple, 2 Broke Girl$, Sullivan & Son, and Hot in Cleveland. In 2010 he performed Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. His chefly exploits can be seen at guerillachef.tumblr.com. 

Mara Hesed, Thoughts

Since earning her drama BFA/MFA 15 years ago in Illinois, Mara Hesed has performed with such fine theaters as American Players Theatre in Wisconsin;  A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, Tacoma Actor's Guild; Empty Space Theatre and others in Washington;  and Circle X Theatre right here in California.  Mara is also a writer, singer, teacher, and painter.   

Temporary Space LA is located at 5522 Wilshire Blvd.  Los Angeles, CA 90036.  Exhibition Hours are:  Monday – Saturday from 10am – 8pm.  For additional information, please visit www.temporaryspacela.com. Public inquiries please call 323-297-8464.