Shooting their Shot: WWU Summer Test Kitchen develops first screenplay, 'Hotshots'

On a warm July afternoon, WWU students, faculty and alumni gathered around a long table littered with open scripts, water bottles, pens, and highlighters. At the head of that table sat WWU alumnus Jeremy Urann and his sister co-writer and co-director Sherri Bylenga. Bylenga and Urann co-founded Fat Gratitude in 2000.

“The projects we create at Fat Gratitude amplify love and joy,” Bylenga said, and “Hotshots” is no exception. 

A campy comedy full of bawdy jokes and silly moments, “Hotshots” delivers a naughty cop, a kooky Karen, and some brilliant bikini baristas. Though it is a silly romp on the outside, underneath it has some very real substance. Bikini barista June, played by WWU junior Alexandria Cedras, and nonbinary carpenter Joe, played by WWU alumnus Ella Newborn (’25) join forces to help June gain ownership of the coffee stand amid a firestorm of community outcry and in defiance of stand owner Roy.  

“In ‘Hotshots,’ we’re exploring that tension between objectification and empowerment, between the silly and the serious,” Urann said.

Working with the students in the Summer Test Kitchen was critical to shaping the tone and building character development from page to screen. After a week of rehearsing and shooting test scenes on camera, the students performed in the DUG Theater. In front of a live audience, Bylenga and Urann closely observed the audience’s reaction — jokes that landed, scenes that got a big response, and moments that came across as genuine and heartfelt.

“Since we’re working in comedy, we really want more minds on the script, and especially young minds. We really want the development to have that young perspective,” said Urann.

Skyler Alvarez, who plays Mimi, a trans woman and employee of the coffee stand, loved the experience of working on “Hotshots.”

“Everyone brought so much energy and passion to the room. I learned so much and had a ton of fun being a part of this team and I gained an even deeper appreciation for all the love and work that goes into creating what we see on the stage or the screen,” said Alvarez.

Cedras loved the experience of playing June as well. “The script and collaboration was such a fun and thrilling experience for me. Getting to play June, a character I resonated with heavily, felt so liberating and authentic to myself and the work.”

The camera rehearsals allowed the students to adjust to film acting and the distractions of a film production. Bylenga and Urann also conducted brief interviews on camera with the students about their characters to have the students deepen their approach to their roles.

The cast also got to meet with two bikini baristas, who shared their real-world experience. The students asked them thoughtful questions, and the baristas shed light on the characters’ challenges.

“Bikini barista stands started here in Washington, and they’re such a quirky part of our culture,” said Urann.

The tension between bikini barista stands and the conservative culture of their native Spokane inspired Bylenga and Urann.
 

“Sheri and I both grew up queer in Spokane, and we wanted to honor our hometown and the unique culture of bikini coffee stands,” Urann said. 

It was apparent the cast relished the chance to perform the script. Theater professors Brown, Mueller, Kamarie Chapman, and assistant professor of theater Eva Gil all participated in the workshop and performance, bringing depth and heart to the broadly comic characters.

“Getting to work so closely with many amazing and talented human beings is something I will always cherish. I got to learn so much not just about myself but the process of what new works can look like and how they can change with other like-minded people's perspectives involved,” said Cedras.

“It’s so fun to come back to Western and bring this fun script for the students to perform. I was a student of Rich’s when I was here, and it’s so cool to work with him,” said Urann. 

The next time cameras roll, it’ll be on location in Spokane. Bylenga was a participant in the Washington Filmworks Above the Line Educational Forum, and “Hotshots” was selected for the competitive six-month mentorship program to develop the project further. Bylenga and Urann are recipients of a Spokane Arts grant to secure locations and prepare for principal photography summer 2026.

Though the final casting decisions for the film have yet to be made, the experience for all the participants in acting the script and performing preliminary tests for the camera have been tremendously valuable and Test Kitchen actors are under consideration for final casting.

“Experiences like this give our theater students such great professional development,” said Brown. “’Hotshots’ is our first screenplay with Summer Test Kitchen, and these students have a chance at acting in the final film; it’s great experience for them.”

Bylenga and Urann will take the edited script from Summer Test Kitchen and develop it further, beginning the financing process.

“We have a pitch deck and a good sense of what it’s going to look and feel like. The next step is to secure funding,” said Bylenga.

Alvarez is grateful for the opportunity, and excited about the next steps.

“Summer Test Kitchen was an amazing experience and I’m so thankful that Western
offers students this opportunity,” she said.

Watching them work with students, it’s clear that Bylenga and Urann have a facility for finding depth and heart, even in the campiest and silliest scenes. 

“HOTSHOTS celebrates queer joy and love during this particularly dark moment of history. Humanity can evolve, and art is how we catalyze it,” Bylenga said.

“Hotshots” begins production in Spokane in summer 2026. 

To learn more about Summer Test Kitchen or the WWU Theater Department, read here.

Frances Badgett covers the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Fine and Performing Arts Communications. Reach out to her with story ideas at badgetf@wwu.edu.