Fort Thomas native Kelly Eviston-Quinnett still sounds a little awed when she talks about stepping onto a film set as an actress directed by John Travolta: not with disbelief, but with the kind of grounded gratitude that comes from knowing exactly how much work it took to get there.
Eviston‑Quinnett stars in John Travolta’s directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, which premiered on Apple TV on May 29 following its 2026 Cannes Film Festival debut.
Against the backdrop of aviation’s golden era, Propeller One‑Way Night Coach follows the cross‑country journey of Jeff, a wide‑eyed young aviation enthusiast (Clark Shotwell), and his mother, Helen (Eviston‑Quinnett). What begins as a simple one‑way ticket to Hollywood becomes a transformative adventure. Nostalgic airline meals, charismatic flight attendants, unexpected layovers, and a fleeting glimpse of first class all add a sense of wonder that quietly shapes the boy’s dreams. Helen, meanwhile, is traveling to Los Angeles to pursue acting opportunities of her own. The film is adapted from the 1997 novella of the same name.
The Fort Thomas actress describes the experience with a mix of confidence, grit, and gratitude: a balance that defines much of her approach to the craft.
Eviston-Quinnett was the recipient of the National Irene Ryan Scholarship presented by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, which led to her being placed under a contract with ABC. While under ABC, Eviston-Quinnett appeared in daytime soap operas All My Children and One Life to Live. This launched the first part of her career.
Later, Eviston-Quinnett was discovered by John Travolta in her 2006 play Bus Stop. Kelly Eviston-Quinnett and Ellen Travolta, John’s sister, appeared together in a movie called The Basket in 1998. Eviston‑Quinnett is now the head of acting in the University of Idaho’s Department of Theatre Arts, a role she has held for 28 years.
Eviston‑Quinnett said she felt an immediate connection to the character’s emotional undercurrent. She described one scene she found especially beautiful: her character, unexpectedly moved to first class through the generosity of a flight attendant, turns to her son beside her and asks if he remembers the glowing review she once received, the one comparing her to Joan Crawford and Barbara Stanwyck.
“It was really moving for me,” Eviston-Quinnett said. “It was actually happening in the moment.”
Eviston-Quinnett added that John created the space for that kind of honesty. He was always encouraging, always emotionally truthful.
“If art is life, and life is art, this was one of those moments,” Eviston‑Quinnett said. “I felt like I was honoring everything I always wanted.”
Eviston-Quinnett credits several local mentors for helping her find her footing early on, from school theater directors to Northern Kentucky University’s musical theatre program that gave her space to experiment. Eviston‑Quinnett said her time at Northern was “an incredible experience,” calling the program special and the mentors there “bucket‑fillers” who shaped her early growth.
Ken Jones, who spent 39 years at Northern Kentucky University, retired recently after serving as chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance and later as the founding director of the NKU School of the Arts.
Jones said watching the film was an “emotional experience,” noting that Eviston-Quinnett’s talent was evident from the beginning.
Jones said NKU’s Musical Theatre program has long required its faculty to be working professionals, a standard he believes strengthens the program’s credibility. He encouraged prospective students to look closely at faculty resumes and alumni outcomes when evaluating programs.
“She was always a brilliant actress,” Jones said. “Highly energetic, hilarious, really smart.”
He added that she has become an equally strong educator, teaching both graduate and undergraduate students. “She is a warm, caring person.”
“She was a star then and a star now,” Jones said.
Kelly Eviston-Quinnett is an actress, professor, wife, mother, end‑of‑life doula, and grandmother.
NKU maintains partnerships with Cincinnati‑area theatre companies, offering students access to internships and professional networks.
“We get some of the best students in the Midwest,” Jones said.
The university houses the largest theatre and dance program in Kentucky, anchored by its School of the Arts. The school offers a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and several specialized tracks and is known for employing faculty who continue to work professionally in the field.
Northern Kentucky University has produced a roster of alumni whose careers stretch across Broadway, television, and film:
Performers like Angie Schworer lit up Broadway in The Producers, Catch Me If You Can, Something Rotten, and The Prom, and John Gardiner, known for his roles in Jersey Boys and A Bronx Tale, helped define the university’s presence on the national stage. They’re joined by Aaron LaVigne, whose credits include Spider‑Man: Turn Off the Dark and a star turn as Jesus in the 50th‑anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, along with a recent appearance on The Voice. Rising Broadway talent Kayla Pecchioni has starred in The Great Gatsby, Some Like It Hot, and The Book of Mormon, while Miki Abraham brought her work to the stage in Shucked.
Beyond performance, NKU alumni have shaped the industry behind the scenes: Cara Hannah Sullivan is an eight‑time Primetime Emmy winner for her hair and makeup artistry on Saturday Night Live; Suzanne Fitzpatrick has written for 7th Heaven and the films Divine Will and A Bend in the Road; and Jennie Robertson has appeared in films including Bull Durham and Notorious. Together, they form a vibrant lineage of artists whose work continues to resonate far beyond campus.
View the trailer or watch the film on Apple TV.
