Will Wallace to Direct THE OPTIMIST at Elephant Stages, 4/3-20

Will Wallace will direct the West Coast Premiere of "The Optimist" by Jason Chimonides at Elephant Stages in Los Angeles. Chris Bellant, Sarah Jes Austell, and Aaron David Johnson will star.

Will has produced, written, and directed over a dozen award-winning films. He is currently a producer at Sunflower Films with Terrence Malick and Edward Pressman in Los Angeles.

Will directed the award winning comedic feature entitled "Cake: A Wedding Story" and recently produced "Flatland" starring Martin Sheen, Kristen Bell & Tony Hale, "Clear Lake WI" starring Michael Madsen, and "Rock Slyde" starring Patrick Warburton, Andy Dick & Jason Alexander. Wallace recently directed "Red Wing" starring Bill Paxton and Frances Fisher. Warner Bros. will release the film this spring. He also recently produced "The Appearing" for Lionsgate.

As an actor, Will has played roles in on over forty films including "The Thin Red Line", "I Am Sam", "Rules of Engagement", "The New World", "Broke Sky" (currently on the Sundance Channel), and the Academy Award nominated "Tree of Life" starring Brad Pitt & Sean Penn. Most recently, he filmed "The Untitled Terrence Malick Project" with Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams & Ben Affleck, and "Doonby" with John Schneider. Some of Will's TV credits include "Leverage", "Beverly Hills 90210′′ (Both Series), "Baywatch", and "Pensacola: Wings of Gold".

Aaron David Johnson will join cast members Chris Bellant and Sarah Jes Austell. Aaron recently starred in "Detention" alongside Josh Hutcherson, which was released by Sony Pictures. He has a major role in Diane Namm's film "Finding Hope. Johson also appeared on CBS' "The Defenders" alongside Jerry O'Connell and James Belushi.

THE OPTIMIST follows three young people into a rundown motel room where they tackle unfinished romance, the imminent arrival of a rampaging patriarch, and the threat of impending adulthood. Over the course of one tumultuous weekend, Noel returns to his hometown to confront the sudden death of his best friend, the wedding of his philandering father, and the reemergence of his one true love, Nicole.

THE OPTIMIST will run Thursdays - Sundays at 8pm from April 3-20th. Tickets are available for $20 through Brown Paper Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/579556. Elephant Stages is located at 6322 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

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