JMonk Vision and F Word Films in association with Girls Act Good present a new three- part webseries

Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy
Written by Jennifer Monk and Lisa Dallinger
Directed by Jennifer Monk

New mother Nadia is at breaking point. Exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperate for respite, she checks into the Head to Heath facility—a luxurious retreat that promises the ultimate in self-care. Here, she's offered the perfect blend of round-the-clock therapy, spa treatments, facials, yoga, and cocktails—a dream escape from the pressures of motherhood. But as Nadia settles in, it becomes clear that this utopian sanctuary might not be what it seems.

As cracks begin to form in the facility's glossy exterior, Nadia uncovers unsettling truths that challenge her perception of mental health care. Hidden agendas, misleading promises, and sinister undertones force her to question everything she thought she knew about seeking help. In a world where mental health systems are broken, and support is out of reach, Nadia finds herself caught in a maze of absurdity and deception.

Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy is a darkly humorous and emotionally raw three-part web series that takes a hard look at the flaws in modern mental health care, particularly for women. Drawing from real stories and experiences, the series highlights the stigma, shame, and strength that come with navigating a system that often fails those it claims to help.

The webseries explores the resilience women summon in the face of these broken systems. As Nadia's journey unfolds, it becomes clear that the help she sought may not be out there at all— perhaps the true healing lies in confronting the flawed system and leaning on the support of her community. Through biting humor, poignant storytelling, and raw emotional moments, Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy shines a light on the mental health crisis affecting so many today, reminding us that when we crack up, we don’t have to face it alone.

Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy began as an acclaimed theatre production at La Mama Theatre written by Jennifer Monk and Lisa Dallinger and has since been adapted into this unique, three- part webseries by JMonk Vision and FWord Films.

Slightly Cracked is Laura Jane Turner (she/they) and Jennifer Monk's (she/her) third project together. Both longstanding arts professionals, Turner and Monk's award-winning careers both span acting, producing and directing across multiple mediums, making them a great team. Prior to Slightly Cracked, they collaborated on producing the multiple award-winning web series, Last Breath, and the award-winning short film, Hansel's Gretel.

Performed by Lisa Dallinger, Laura Jane Turner, Joss McClelland, Sophie Lampel and Jennifer Monk.

Watch Trailer HERE

Media Release written by Emma Jane Caldwell.

Screen grab from Episode 3 - Family Dinner. Cinematographer Ruby Taylor.

The Frozen Heart by Perri Cummings

As the eternal drought turned everything to dust, Mary saw her husband’s heart blacken and shrink. The life inside him burnt away, until nothing was left but a charred outer husk. She knew, if things didn’t change, if she couldn’t keep the small spark of life burning inside her, the same thing would happen to her. But the one thing that kept her heart warm enough to keep beating, was the love she had for her two boys. But like all wild things, Mary knew they were not hers to hold onto forever.

And she was very lonely. 

So, when she felt the cold wind, the kind that prickles your skin and gives you the chills even on the hottest of days, Mary felt the change in the air and realised bad news was coming. She feared the storm of war that had gathered on distant horizons would demand a sacrifice closer to home, taking her boys to grind into dust on foreign shores. So, when it was her husband that heard the call, that packed his bags and went to fight, Mary felt nothing but relief. 

Now that her husband had gone, the wind again whispered through Mary, stirring the restlessness deep within. And she knew the time had come to loosen her grip and let her boys begin to slip through her fingers.

To allow them to run free.

And they did. Creating chaos with the wild pack that lit fires in the dark. And Mary, still ruffled by the wind, began to search for new life. 

It was then that Matthew caught her eye. Young and strong, he had walked through the fires, set by the reckless wildlings of the town, to save a boy’s life. The marks of his heroism scarred into his body, creating beautiful patterns across his skin. And Mary knew that if she could have this man, warm and strong and naked beside her, if only for one night, he may be able to breathe the spark of new life back into her heart again.

So, she came to him to tend his wounds. As she rubbed aloe into his bare skin, tracing the lines of his scars with her fingertips, a light within them was ignited. Mary felt she had finally found something she could hold onto. Something to quell the aching loneliness within.

So, she made a terrible wish.

She wished her husband wouldn’t come home. She got down on her knees and prayed for a terrible miracle.

She knew she was tampering with fate but what is done is done.  She tried to cling to her boys, to protect her from her own weakness and the desperate yearning for the feel of skin on skin. But they were growing into their own kind of men, one sullen and secretive, the other restless and in the need of adventure, and she knew the time to completely release them had come.

She threw herself into good works, a secret penance to save her soul. She worked tirelessly for the town by day and lay with Matthew at night, the only one who could peel away the hardening layers of skin and still find the soft heart beneath.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to be happy. For a brief moment, she hoped that her prayer may not be answered.

And then a letter edged in black came to her door. And she realised what she had done.

And on this day her eldest came to her with a letter of his own. He had faked his documents and signed up to join the distant war.

And she knew the price for her sin was not yet fully paid.

And the chill wind blew through her freezing her heart until it shattered in her chest and turned her skin cold to the touch. Two shards pierced her eyes, freezing her tears and turning her soft brown eyes a ghostly ice blue.

And Mary knew it would take a miracle to make her feel again, and miracles, in this small town as hot as the pits of hell, cost too much.

image supplied by JMONK Vision

GIRLS ACT GOOD ALLOWS THEIR MEMBERS TO BE MOTHERS AND HAVE A CAREER

Written by Emma Jane Caldwell

Girls Act Good is a collective of female performers, writers, producers and creatives who have come a long way from their humble roots reading scripts together in founder Jennifer Monk’s living room to keep their skills honed and to support each other in a challenging industry. Years on, those living room readings still happen monthly with members Skyping in from wherever they are in the world. Girls Act Good have a hefty body of work behind them, with 2018 being their busiest year yet, seeing the release of their short feature The Association, a new web series, Last Breath, and a return season of their festive theatre show, A Christmas Tale.  

From the living room, to the stage, this collective of women have long been champions of supporting each other through momentous life events (babies, breakups, weddings, job changes etc.) and ensuring that acting opportunities are still available to women in all stages of life. Most recently, this was on display in A Christmas Tale, with cast member Constance Washington taking the stage at 20 weeks pregnant with her second child.

So, I asked Constance what her first reaction was to her pregnancy.

“When I first fell pregnant I thought my career was over. Dramatic I know but I just couldn't see how it would work." And the challenges of juggling being a mum of a toddler, pregnant with her second and performing in a show? "It has definitely been harder to remember lines with a small human stealing my brain and I certainly feel far more tired. I stand on stage with a growing bump squeezing into my costume and my older, and bigger and far more vocal first-born running around the theatre. I'm still lucky enough to have been able to take her to rehearsals with me. She chats to the girls, gets up on stage with them, starts singing mid scene. But the girls don't blink an eye, they just stop what they are doing and join the toddler in a chorus of 'If you're happy and you know it'. And I am. I am very happy and I know it."

Long-time ensemble member, Lisa Dallinger, gave me some insight into what it’s like rehearsing with a toddler around.

“Having a bub in rehearsals can of course be distracting! We would often just stop and watch her, as she is so cute and beautiful, however we would then simply refocus and continue on. We would just adapt. This is what we do. Why can't we have a family and have careers as well?”

Shanon Kulupach adds

“When it’s Constance’s turn to concentrate we just take the reins in entertaining her daughter, playing games to distract her to let mama work!” 

Director and founder of Girls Act Good, Jennifer Monk, explains to me what her experience has been directing a pregnant ensemble member, especially since Constance had been cast prior to finding out about her pregnancy. Jenn explained to me “I wanted her in the show, but I had never directed a pregnant woman and wanted her to know she had choices about what she wanted to be involved in. Constance said that initially when she told her partner she was worried about the show… but her partner reassured her and said

“Jenn will love it, she will use it in the show.”

And that is exactly what I did.” That’s not to say that it wasn’t a challenge physically for Constance, with the long days and nights of independent theatre sometimes taking a toll. Jenn told me that her “real eye-opening moment was on the day we opened. It was going to be a big day, 10am start, a rehearsal tidying up some scenes and dance, 2 tech and dress rehearsals, radio interview, photo shoot and then the opening of the show. The night before I asked if there was anything I could do to make it easier for her. Constance said, she just might to have a sleep in between runs. And she said that she might not go full blow in all the dress runs. I offered to bring in a blow-up mattress if she needed.”

It’s supportive environments like this that enable women to continue their craft at all stages of their lives. Girls Act Good are certainly an example of a collective of women that believe in supporting each other to ensure that they have opportunities to perform and create irrespective of their circumstances.

Images by Shanon Kulupach