By Madeline Casperson

REXBURG – With large scale pop-culture conventions like FanX Salt Lake and New York Comic Con, fans get to show off their nerdiness and love for TV shows, movies, book series and comics. 

People come from around the country to attend these events, participating in cosplay contests and purchasing works from artists. At many events, they have big names in pop culture, like William Shatner, David Tennant, John Rhys-Davies and so much more. 

These conventions often include presentations from experts in pop culture (the really, really big nerds), panels from actors and writers (NYCC had George R. R. Martin in October) and cosplay contests (check out Geekbound Fashion Challenge at FanX Salt Lake).

These conventions are often reserved for big towns, large populations and popular sponsors, but not anymore. In March 2026, the little town of Rexburg will have its very own pop culture and literary convention: Story-X.

The project began with Samuel Head, a BYU-Idaho English department faculty member and Shakespeare in the Park organizer, and Samantha Dutton, BYU-Idaho alumna and current staff member. Their shared love of the community and pop culture inspired them to propose Story-X for all of Rexburg to enjoy. 

“Story-X is an opportunity for folks to get together,” Head explained, “to share their passions about pop culture and to think critically about the impact that pop culture and literature have on our society.”

Story-X will be the first pop culture event sponsored by the BYU-Idaho English department, so Head and Dutton are looking forward to seeing community and student interest. They hope to make the occasion a success so they can continue to grow the event and involve the community more in the programming. 

Story-X blends pop culture with literary theory, but not the kind of highbrow theory in the classroom. Many pop culture “hot takes” or “fan theories” are just applications of lessons from English classes. Head and Dutton put together Story-X to explore that connection and include the community in the discussion. 

While the event won’t be as large as FanX down in Salt Lake City, community members can attend in cosplay, listen to presentations from BYU-Idaho faculty and students, ask questions to a panel of semi-experts, participate in workshops and purchase from various vendors and artists.

“This year, the presenters, panelists and vendors are all BYU-Idaho members,” Head explained, “But we hope to be able to invite community members to be presenters and vendors in the future.”

There’s more to come from Story-X, so mark your calendars for March 14th and stay tuned to find out more about the event.