Cracked Open at NAMI-NYC

CRACKED OPEN delves into the heart-wrenching story of a loving family that is torn apart by the onset of mental illness in their 17-year-old daughter, Matilde. As they enter the wilderness of the absurd, sometimes comical and nightmarish maze of doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists, the family comes up against the quagmire of the mental health system.

Their efforts to cope with ambiguous diagnoses and the repercussions of a poorly run state treatment center is vividly portrayed. Suddenly ‘cracked open’ by the challenges of Matilde's disability and the stigma of mental illness, the family struggles to find a new way to come together.

Following the Industry Staged Reading, there will be a thought-provoking talkback session with the Playwright herself, Gail Kriegel, who is one of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City’s original volunteers.

The event aims to shed light on the issues surrounding mental health, while also supporting the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City’s vital mission to provide free mental health programs and community resources to individuals AND their families.