MOSCOW, Idaho — A University of Idaho theatre professor is drawing international attention after earning a starring role in a major Hollywood production, with her film set to reach a global audience this week.
Kelly Eviston-Quinnett, who heads the acting program in the University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts, appears in “Propeller One-Way Night Coach,” the directorial debut of actor John Travolta. The film premiered earlier this month at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France and is scheduled for global release Friday, May 29, on Apple TV.
Moscow Educator on the World Stage
Eviston-Quinnett plays the mother of the film’s young lead, Jeff, portrayed by Coeur d’Alene actor Clark Shotwell. Set during the golden age of aviation, the story follows Jeff and his mother on a cross-country flight to Hollywood that transforms their lives. Travolta, best known for his roles in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease,” originally published “Propeller One-Way Night Coach” as a children’s book in 1997 before adapting it for the screen.
“I still can’t believe this is happening — this is something I have dreamt of for most of my life,” Eviston-Quinnett said in remarks about the project. She described the opportunity to work with and be directed by Travolta as a career-defining moment.
The film’s Cannes premiere placed Eviston-Quinnett on one of cinema’s most prestigious red carpets, a milestone that Theatre Arts Department Chair Robert Caisley called extraordinary. “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.
A Spotlight on Idaho’s Arts Programs
Beyond the personal achievement, Eviston-Quinnett expressed hope that the film’s release would draw broader attention to the University of Idaho’s theatre program. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I want to share it with everyone,” she said.
The University of Idaho, based in Moscow, houses a well-regarded performing arts program that has produced working professionals across stage and screen. Eviston-Quinnett’s role in a family-friendly theatrical release — set to reach viewers worldwide through a major streaming platform — represents a significant moment of visibility for arts education in northern Idaho.
The University of Idaho community has seen a busy stretch of recognition lately, with Vandal Legends recently honored by the Big Sky Conference for their contributions to collegiate athletics. The Eviston-Quinnett story adds to a growing list of Vandal-connected achievements drawing eyes toward Moscow from well beyond the Palouse.
What Comes Next
“Propeller One-Way Night Coach” becomes available globally on Apple TV on Friday, May 29. Audiences in Moscow and across Latah County will have the opportunity to watch a local educator on-screen in a major international release. Whether the film’s debut translates into expanded interest in the University of Idaho’s performing arts offerings remains to be seen, but department leadership appears eager to use the moment as a recruiting and awareness opportunity for one of Idaho’s flagship university programs.