Headwind

by Adam Hunter Howard

Andrew is a college counselor at an elite prep school in Los Angeles, spending his days in conference with students and their parents, all who have high expectations for their next academic community. When a dinner party boils over, however, Andrew's biases gradually become illuminated, as he tries to navigate the complex currents of social inequity, all the while coming to terms with a deeply personal grief.

Andrew is a college counselor at an elite prep school in Los Angeles, spending his days in conference with students and their parents, all who have high expectations for their next academic community. When a dinner party boils over, however, Andrew's biases gradually become illuminated, as he tries to navigate the complex currents of social inequity, all the while coming to terms with a deeply personal grief.

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Headwind

Recommended by

  • Robert Axelrod: Headwind by Adam Hunter Howard
    “

    This play offers an incredibly poignant and powerful look at the current college admissions landscape, opening up conversations about privilege, legacy, and how the world has changed. Howard has crafted a deeply humorous and hauntingly moving play that is as relevant as ever. Headwind is a profoundly moving piece of theatre.

    This play offers an incredibly poignant and powerful look at the current college admissions landscape, opening up conversations about privilege, legacy, and how the world has changed. Howard has crafted a deeply humorous and hauntingly moving play that is as relevant as ever. Headwind is a profoundly moving piece of theatre.

    ”
  • Rachel Borders: Headwind by Adam Hunter Howard
    “

    A potent play about privilege, college acceptance, affirmative action, and grief. A portrait of a man at war with himself. Watching Andrew slowly devolve is as entertaining as it is moving!

    A potent play about privilege, college acceptance, affirmative action, and grief. A portrait of a man at war with himself. Watching Andrew slowly devolve is as entertaining as it is moving!

    ”

Character Information

6-11 actors (5 can also double as secondary characters; please see breakdown)
  • Andrew
    College Counselor
    early-40s
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Nora
    a writer; married to Andrew
    late-30s
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Marcus
    Andrew's best friend from college; high school English teacher
    early-40s
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Camille
    Marcus's partner
    mid-30s
    Bi-racial/multi-racial or BIPOC
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Jeremiah
    Nora's high school friend
    late-30s
    Latino
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Rex
    Jeremiah’s boyfriend
    early-30s
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Schubert
    Student; played by same actor as REX
    17/18
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Taylor
    Student; played by same actor as CAMILLE
    17/18
    Bi-racial/multi-racial or BIPOC
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Michael
    Student; played by same actor as JEREMIAH
    17/18
    Latino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Tim
    Parent at high school; played by same actor as MARCUS
    mid-50s
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Margaret
    Parent at the high school; played by same actor as NORA
    mid-40s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Santa Clarita International Film Festival (Filmed Table Read), 2023
  • Reading, Garry Marshall Theatre New Works Festival (Semi-Finalist), 2021
  • Reading, IAMA Theatre Company New Works Festival, 2019

Awards

  • New Works Festival
    Garry Marshall Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2021
  • Kernodle New Play Award
    University of Arkansas
    Finalist
    2021