The Shotwell family has experienced a whirlwind year, highlighted by their participation in a new John Travolta film project, while also stepping into the spotlight at the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s annual holiday show. Their involvement in Travolta’s latest venture and local performances has brought national attention to this talented family, combining their passion for theater with the high-profile world of cinema.
From the Stage to the Screen: The Path to Casting
Winter 2024 was a transformative period for the Shotwell family—comprising parents Jenny and Dalton and their children Clark and Skye. They took over the beloved holiday show Let It Snow at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, a tradition formerly led by Ellen Travolta and her family. With Ellen Travolta overseeing production, the transition was seamless, allowing the Shotwells to bring their unique flair to the performance.
During preparations for Let It Snow, Ellen Travolta requested footage of Clark’s role in the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s production of The Secret Garden. The summer 2024 show, featuring both Clark and Jenny, would play a significant role in what would come next for the family.
Ellen mentioned to the Shotwells that her brother—John Travolta—was working on a film and had expressed interest in Clark. She requested a short video of Clark delivering lines on camera. Jenny and Dalton, however, forgot about the request until Ellen followed up for more footage after The Secret Garden.
About a month later, the Shotwells submitted another video of Clark, leading to a direct meeting with John Travolta himself. This coincided with the opening of their revamped holiday show at the resort.
Clark’s audition efforts paid off when he landed the role of young John in Travolta’s new film, which John both wrote and directed. The film is inspired by Travolta’s own book, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, telling the story of his childhood flying adventures.
On Set: Navigating New Challenges and Experiences
The Shotwell family spent three weeks in January on film sets, moving between New York and Los Angeles, immersing themselves into the world of movie production. Though Clark and Jenny were used to live theater, they found that filming presented new challenges, from adjusting to scenes shot days apart to adapting their acting for the camera.
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, Parent and Performer
Jenny, determined not to fit the mold of an overbearing stage mom, relied on John Travolta’s rapport with Clark. Both parents, Jenny and Dalton, appear in the film as well, adding to the family’s collective experience. Despite the intensity of the filming schedule, the balance between Clark’s schoolwork and his role on set was maintained.
Returning to Normalcy and Reflecting on Unforgettable Memories
After the demanding shoot wrapped up, the Shotwell family returned home, finding the transition back to everyday life surprisingly straightforward after the extraordinary work on set turned their routines upside down.
Coming back, it was like ‘Wait, did that actually happen?’
—Jenny, Parent and Performer
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, Parent and Performer
Soon after returning, the family shifted focus to preparing for the show’s new season. The 2024 edition of Let It Snow began on a Friday, running through December 21 and welcoming audiences at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. The hour-long musical features the Shotwells singing holiday classics and sharing both stories and history, joined by musician Craig Catlett on saxophone and bassist Eric Haakenson, with Leslie Wisdom as director.
New Elements for “Let It Snow” and Emphasizing Family Collaboration
This year, the Shotwells approached the holiday show with renewed enthusiasm, introducing new pieces and fresh arrangements while keeping cherished elements that audiences loved. Jenny and Dalton incorporated feedback and inspiration from the previous season, particularly focusing on stories highlighting Coeur d’Alene’s rich holiday heritage.
Preparation for the show began immediately after returning from the film project, with the structure finalized by summer. The historical segments, which resonated strongly with audiences the previous year, were expanded upon for this season, according to Jenny.
It is a wonderful subject matter to latch onto for content, because there’s so much of it,
—Jenny, Parent and Performer
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, Parent and Performer
Desiring to further showcase their talents, the family increased the amount of performing by Clark and Skye and welcomed a new musician, adding saxophone and clarinet to the musical arrangements. Jenny felt that the added instrumentation further emphasized how central music is to their family identity.
That has added an additional wonderful element to the music, because that’s a big part of who we are,
—Jenny, Parent and Performer
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, Parent and Performer
Honoring the 1950s and Local History in this Year’s Performance
Setting the show in the 1950s, Jenny ensured that every musical piece resonated with the era, taking inspiration from hits that defined the decade. She embraced the creative challenge of arranging these songs into medleys, weaving together music and local history.
The opening number, performed by Clark, introduces the excitement of early rock ’n’ roll to the show. In the second half, the Shotwells highlight a heartwarming story of a Coeur d’Alene family in need during the 1950s, connecting past community generosity with present-day spirit.
The music that we tie into that, I just love that moment,
—Jenny, Parent and Performer
I think it’s really, really special.
—Jenny, Parent and Performer
Embracing Change and the Unexpected
Juggling the demands of live theater and a major John Travolta film project would have seemed improbable at the start of the year for the Shotwell family. Yet, according to Jenny, adapting and embracing unpredictability has been a crucial lesson, both for herself and her students.
Unexpected shifts, such as spending January on set and taking charge of the holiday show, have not only tested their flexibility but also added vibrant new chapters to their family story. The experience, she said, has been full of surprises and personal growth.
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, Parent and Performer
It all still feels very surreal most of the time, which is great, which is really fun.
—Jenny, Parent and Performer
What the Future Holds for the Shotwells
As excitement builds for the release of John Travolta’s film and the ongoing success of Let It Snow, the Shotwell family’s journey exemplifies how taking chances and staying open to new experiences can lead to unexpected, rewarding opportunities. With their roles in the film still to be seen by audiences and their holiday show running through the season, the Shotwells stand out as a shining example of family collaboration, passion for the arts, and the ability to balance the extraordinary with a love for home and community.
