Musical Theatre Factory will celebrate its five-year anniversary with a gala at Town Stages. The May 13 evening, dubbed High Five, will be directed by Sidney Erik Wright and Brandon Powers, hosted by Larry Owens, and will honor A Strange Loop writer and composer Michael R. Jackson.

The benefit will feature work and performances by Natalie Walker (Alice by Heart), Heath Saunders (Alice by Heart, Great Comet,NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live), Jessie Shelton (Hadestown, Waitress, Futurity), Nikko Benson (Jonathan Larson award winner), Douglas Lyons (Beau, Polkadots), and Preston Max Allen (Agent 355, We Are The Tigers) with a dance party by Nessa Norich aka DJ nessoono (Infinite Love Party).

The inaugural MTF Makers Cohort will also be introduced, featuring work and performances by Troy Anthony (The River is Me), Melissa Li and Kit Yan (Interstate), Jillian Walker (SkinFolk: An American Show), AriDy Nox (Flawless Feminism), Brandon Webster (Medicine for Melancholy), and Jonathan Larson Award winners Tidtaya Sinutoke and Ty Defoe (Clouds Are Pillows for the Moon).

"You will meet the MTF Makers inaugural cohort together, and experience the exciting breadth of ground breaking work that is happening at MTF!" says Mei Ann Teo, producing artistic director of MTF.

Tickets start at $25 with a sliding scale offered to ensure inclusive participation.