University of Idaho Acting Professor Stars in John Travolta Film Premiering at Cannes
A University of Idaho faculty member has landed a starring role in one of this year’s most talked-about debut films, bringing national and international attention to Moscow’s theatre arts program.
Kelly Eviston-Quinnett, who serves as head of acting in the U of I Department of Theatre Arts, appears as the lead female character in “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” the directorial debut of Hollywood veteran John Travolta. The family-friendly film premiered at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France earlier this month and is set for global release Friday, May 29, on Apple TV.
A Childhood Dream Reaches the World Stage
The film is based on a children’s book Travolta originally published in 1997. Set during the golden age of aviation, the story follows a young airplane enthusiast named Jeff — played by Clark Shotwell of Coeur d’Alene — and his mother, portrayed by Eviston-Quinnett, as they embark on a cross-country flight to Hollywood. The journey, filled with in-flight meals, charming crew members, unexpected stopovers, and a tantalizing glimpse at first class, becomes a transformative trip that shapes the boy’s future.
Travolta is best known for his iconic roles in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978), making this his first turn behind the camera as director.
Eviston-Quinnett described the experience as something she had long envisioned but never expected to actually achieve. “I still can’t believe this is happening — this is something I have dreamt of for most of my life,” she said in remarks released by the university. She added that working alongside Travolta as both a collaborator and director was something that, in her words, “doesn’t get much better than that.”
Walking the red carpet at Cannes, one of cinema’s most prestigious international festivals, also gave the Moscow professor a rare opportunity to put the University of Idaho’s theatre program in the global spotlight. “I want to share it with everyone,” she said of the premiere experience. “I’m so very grateful and so happy to celebrate and share the work.”
U of I Theatre Program Gains National Spotlight
The achievement has resonated deeply within the university community. Robert Caisley, chair of the Theatre Arts department, praised Eviston-Quinnett’s accomplishment as a reflection of the program’s overall quality. “To have a colleague starring in a film written and directed by an A-list star and walking the red carpet at Cannes is remarkable,” Caisley said, noting that her success “shines a light on our program and inspires our students.”
That student inspiration is no small matter. Theatre arts programs across the country often struggle to demonstrate clear pathways to professional success in the industry. Having a current faculty member — not a distant alumnus — land a role in a major motion picture that debuts at Cannes sends a powerful signal about the program’s professional caliber.
The University of Idaho, located in Moscow along the Palouse, has long maintained a reputation for strong arts and humanities programs alongside its well-known agricultural and engineering schools. The Theatre Arts department’s national visibility received a boost this spring, and Eviston-Quinnett’s Cannes appearance adds an international dimension that few regional university programs can claim. For more on the department, visit go.uidaho.edu/theatre-arts.
The news caps what has been a strong spring for the University of Idaho on multiple fronts. The Vandals have also been making headlines in the classroom, with strong academic performance posted across athletic programs this semester.
What Comes Next
“Propeller One-Way Night Coach” becomes available to global audiences on Apple TV on Friday, May 29. Eviston-Quinnett is available for media interviews through the University of Idaho’s communications office. The film’s Cannes debut positions it for broader awards consideration and public attention heading into the summer viewing season. For Latah County residents and U of I supporters, Friday’s release offers a chance to see a Moscow-based professor and a piece of the Palouse’s academic community on a genuinely world-class stage.