The Shotwell family has recently taken on significant creative endeavors, both on stage and in film, marking 2024 as one of their busiest years yet. In addition to producing the beloved holiday show Let It Snow at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, they have now joined John Travolta’s new movie project, which draws from his personal memories of flying as a child.
From Stage to Screen: How the Shotwell Family Entered John Travolta’s Film
The year began with Jenny and Dalton Shotwell, along with their children Clark and Skye, stepping into the role of hosts and performers for Let It Snow, a tradition at the Coeur d’Alene Resort formerly managed by Ellen Travolta and her family. Ellen Travolta, serving as producer, facilitated the handover, ensuring the Shotwells could maintain the festive spirit and legacy of the show.
During preparations for Let It Snow, Ellen Travolta requested footage of Clark’s theatrical work in The Secret Garden, which had been staged by the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre just months prior. Ellen informed the family that her brother, the well-known actor and filmmaker John Travolta, was developing a new film and was interested in seeing more of Clark’s on-camera presence. The Shotwells initially forgot about the request, but it resurfaced when she asked again during rehearsals, prompting them to forward the relevant clips.
After submitting additional footage to the Travoltas, the Shotwells were soon invited to meet with John Travolta himself. This meeting solidified Clark’s involvement: he secured the role of young John in a movie written and directed by John Travolta, inspired by his autobiographical book Propeller One-Way Night Coach. The precise release date has yet to be announced, but anticipation is building within both the performing arts and local communities.
Filming spanned three weeks in January, with hectic shooting days in both New York and Los Angeles. For the Shotwells, professional experience in theater did not fully translate to the film set, especially with the challenge of shooting scenes out of sequence.
“I spent time with Clark every morning going over the lines that he was going to do that day and making sure he understood ‘This is that scene. Do you remember you did that scene?’”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
Jenny, who alongside Dalton also took minor roles in the movie, described a supportive set environment fostered by Travolta’s close working style with Clark. She avoided falling into the “stage mom” stereotype, emphasizing trust in Travolta’s guidance and the learning experience for her son.
Balancing School, Family, and the Glamour of Filmmaking
Managing academic obligations while filming was a significant logistical undertaking for the Shotwells. After three intense weeks surrounded by the fast-paced demands of the entertainment world, the family slipped back into their ordinary routine. Jenny shared that the transition from the movie set to daily life came easily, as the filming experience felt so “out of the ordinary” that returning home was grounding.
“Coming back, it was like ‘Wait, did that actually happen?’”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
“I think we all missed the cast. We missed some of the friends we’d made and, of course, we missed the fun glamour lifestyle as we were there, but we both really love to be home, and we love to be in a routine, so in that way, it was sort of nice to just be back.”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
Soon after returning, the Shotwells needed to refocus their energy on Let It Snow, which opened at the Coeur d’Alene Resort and will run until December 21. This annual hourlong holiday show features the family vocalists, with musical accompaniment provided by saxophone player Craig Catlett and bassist Eric Haakenson, and is guided under the direction of Leslie Wisdom.
Creating a Unique Holiday Experience With ‘Let It Snow’
The 2024 edition of Let It Snow presented several unknowns for the family, as it was their first full production as artistic leads. Nevertheless, the Shotwells found the experience both enjoyable and fulfilling. Audience responses were enthusiastic, embracing both the family’s renditions of traditional songs and their creative spins on other tunes from the holiday canon.
Starting preparations as soon as they returned from filming, Jenny and Dalton crafted a show that interwove elements of Coeur d’Alene’s rich holiday history—a facet audiences had greatly appreciated the previous year. With those positive reactions in mind, Jenny made sure to include even more historical vignettes and stories this time around.
“It is a wonderful subject matter to latch onto for content, because there’s so much of it,”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
“We also did a short video presentation in the middle of the show highlighting some of the stories from Coeur d’Alene’s Christmas past that we couldn’t share in story form, so we kept that element this year.”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
The Shotwells, being a musically gifted family, also elevated their arrangements and increased the performance roles for both Clark and Skye. They added new instrumentation, such as a musician adept in both saxophone and clarinet, to enrich the musical landscape of the production.
“That has added an additional wonderful element to the music, because that’s a big part of who we are,”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
“At the end of the day, I think people come to hear our songs. They love to hear the history, but I think the novelty of a family singing together is pretty special.”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
This year’s program is set in the 1950s, as all music selections either debuted or were most popular during that decade, reflecting Jenny’s passion for arranging medleys and exploring period music styles. Clark’s opening number channels the spirit of early rock ’n’ roll, while the show’s second half offers the story of a local family in need during the 1950s and the enduring generosity of the Coeur d’Alene community.
“The music that we tie into that, I just love that moment,”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
“I think it’s really, really special.”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
Adapting to New Opportunities and Embracing Change
Reflecting on their whirlwind year, Jenny points to the importance of flexibility—a lesson she regularly shares with her students. According to her, plans rarely unfold exactly as envisioned, so adaptability is key to making the most of unexpected opportunities. She said she never would have guessed she’d spend most of January on a film set or take charge of the family holiday show, but she is embracing the surprises and the chaos of creative life.
“Dalton and I will have moments every once in a while, where we’ll look at an old picture or we’ll get a contact from John regarding something coming in, and we’ll just laugh like ‘Can you even believe this is even happening?’”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
“It all still feels very surreal most of the time, which is great, which is really fun.”
– Jenny Shotwell, Parent
Community Impact and Looking Forward
The Shotwell family’s involvement in John Travolta’s new movie project has brought significant attention to their creative pursuits, reinforcing the close-knit nature of local performing arts in Coeur d’Alene. Their work on Let It Snow underscores their commitment to celebrating family, sharing musical traditions, and honoring local history. Both projects have deepened connections within the community, and anticipation surrounds not only the continued run of their holiday show but also the eventual release of Travolta’s film.
With experiences ranging from film sets in New York and Los Angeles to holiday performances on their local stage, the Shotwells exemplify adaptability, artistry, and the exciting blend of tradition with new creative ventures. As both the holiday season and the film’s release draw nearer, the Shotwell family’s journey continues to inspire and engage audiences, bringing together the world of Hollywood and homegrown talent.
