“MTF’s High 5”

May 13, 2019

Town Stages

Musical Theatre Factor’s 5th Anniversary gala

Co-directed by Brandon Powers and Sidney Erik Wright

Guest of honor A Strange Loop writer and composer Michael R. Jackson

Hosted by Larry Owens

Pre-show immersive performance starring Sam Salmond, Cheeyang Ng, Ianne Fields Stewart, Pearl Rhein, and “Surviving Together” by Germono Toussaint directed and choreographed by Cassie Nordgren and starring Jonathan Christopher and John Noble Barrack (originally debuted with MTF “Overnight Sensations”)

Featuring an opening number from the inaugural Maker’s Cohort of Tidtaya Sinutoke and Ty Defoe, Jillian Walker, AriDy Rox and Brandon Webster, Melissa Li & Kit Yan, and Troy Anthony with guest performers Jordan Tyson, Danyel Fulton, Joan Henry, Gabrielle Concepcion, and Sushma Saha

Performances by Heathcliff Saunders, Natalie Walker & Nikko Benson, Diana Oh & Matt Park, Douglas Lyons featuring Max Sangerman and Olivia Griffin, Preston Max Allen and Jessica Kahkoska featuring Jessie Shelton

An original choral song by Eamon Boylan for trans and non-binary voices

Speeches from Founding Artistic Director Shakina Nayfack, Producing Artistic Director Mei Ann Teo, and Dramaturg Natasha Sinha

DJ Nessa Norich

Music Direction by Macy Schmidt with Cynthia Meng (keys/musical supervisor), Ashley Baier (drums), Debbie Tjong (guitar), Laura Dadap (cello)

Photos by Jon Burklund and Mari Uchida