The distant present, at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Shelah's family and friends plan a surprise birthday party for her, but the festivities are overshadowed by revelations that point to a dark family secret. Ensemble members Tarell Alvin McCraney and Tina Landau - writer and director of Steppenwolf's celebrated The Brother/Sister Plays - team up again for this world premiere drama, told in McCraney's sweeping, signature style.

Head of Passes was developed by Steppenwolf Theatre Company through the New Plays Initiative, which is supported by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, the Zell Family Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.