Photo Flash: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre's HEAD PASSES

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's highly anticipated world-premiere production of Head of Passes by ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney began April 4. Inspired by the Biblical Book of Job, ensemble member Tina Landau directs following her acclaimed collaboration with McCraney for the The Brother/Sister Plays (2010), with a cast featuring ensemble members Alana Arenas, Jon Michael Hill (May 21 - June 9) and Tim Hopper with James T. Alfred, Kyle Beltran (April 4 - May 19), Chris Boykin, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Glenn Davis, Ron Cephas Jones and Jacqueline Williams. Head of Passes began previews April 4, 2013 (Opening Night is April 14, 2013; Press Performances are April 13 at 3pm and April 16 at 7:30pm) and runs through June 9, 2013 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

In anticipation of her birthday, Shelah's family and friends gather at her home in the Head of Passes--the mysterious shifting marshlands at the mouth of the great Mississippi River. As the guests appear, so do ghosts from the past, and Shelah's convictions about her life begin to dissolve, along with her home in the Louisiana rain. Ensemble members Tarell Alvin McCraney and Tina Landau team up again for this wise, warm world-premiere drama about faith, family and finding your place in the world.

The cast of Head of Passes features ensemble members Alana Arenas as Cookie, Jon Michael Hill as Crier (May 21 - June 9), and Tim Hopper as Dr. Anderson with James T. Alfred as Spencer, Kyle Beltran as Crier (April 4 - May 19), Chris Boykin as Angel/Construction Worker, Cheryl Lynn Bruce as Shelah, Glenn Davis as Aubrey, Ron Cephas Jones as Creaker, and Jacqueline Williams as Mae.

The production team for Head of Passes includes: David Gallo (scenic design), Collette Pollard (scenic design consultant), Toni Leslie James (costume design), Scott Zielinski (lighting design) and Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound design and original music). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Jacob Padrón (dramaturg), Laura D. Glenn (stage manager) and Cassie Wolgamott (assistant stage manager).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America's longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces-the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and three repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, Garage Rep and Next Up. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and nine Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Hawkanson is the Executive Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

Shelah (Cheryl Lynn Bruce)

Shelah (Cheryl Lynn Bruce) tries to calm Cookie (ensemble member Alana Arenas) down.

Dr. Anderson (ensemble member Tim Hopper) visits Shelah (Cheryl Lynn Bruce)

Mae (Jacqueline Williams), Crier (Kyle Beltran), Creaker (Ron Cephas Jones) and Dr. Anderson (ensemble member Tim Hopper) gather to celebrate Shelahâ€s (Cheryl Lynn Bruce) birthday.

Crier (Kyle Beltran) and his father, Creaker, (Ron Cephas Jones)

Shelah, (Cheryl Lynn Bruce) celebrates her birthday with (left to right) Dr. Anderson (ensemble member Tim Hopper), Creaker (Ron Cephas Jones), Spencer (James T. Alfred), Mae (Jacqueline Williams) and Aubrey (Glenn Davis)

Shelah (Cheryl Lynn Bruce) is visited by an angel (Chris Boykin)

Aubrey (Glenn Davis) and Spencer (James T. Alfred) talk with their mother, Shelah, (Cheryl Lynn Bruce)

Shelah (Cheryl Lynn Bruce)