The talent show has been a hallmark of high schools and middle schools for as long as schools have been around. Usually, students strut their talents ~ some amazing, some mind-numbing ~ to raise money for the school.

Not Jonathan Tran’s Universal Talent Show.

“The Senior Class made it a school event for us to raise money for senior prom, senior gifts and whatnot,” said Tran, 18, a graduate of Worcester’s University Park Campus and a student at Quinsigamond Community College. “After we graduated last year, we missed the show. Chris and I wanted to bring it back, and since everyone who worked on it before left for college, we sort of took it upon ourselves.”

“Chris” is Chris Rodriguez, 18, a fellow student at Quinsigamond and one of Tran’s partners in multimedia group Reckless Productions. Tran and Rodriguez began working as club promoters for Club U (now Rumors) and soon began taking the work they did into their own hands. Teaming up with Curwyn Henry, 20, the original founder of Reckless Productions and the group’s photographer, Tran and Rodriguez found themselves putting on events throughout Worcester.

“I loved it so much that it just took off,” Tran said. “I started meeting different types of people at different times. We all came together and eventually merged into the team we are today.”

Kenny Reyes, 22, a graduate of Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., also works with Tran and Rodriguez and is now an essential event promoter at Reckless Productions. Reyes loves not only the talent he sees but what it means to the community as a whole.

“The community really appreciates the talent,” Reyes said. “People look at Worcester and always look at what’s wrong with the schools and the kids. So we use this show to really show these people that we have talented kids.”

The Reckless Productions team has worked hard to find great local talent between the ages of 16-25 and get the community out to support the performers on June 27. The men agree that one of the best acts they have seen came from last year’s show at Clark University.

“A slam poet began doing his own poem,” Reyes recalled, “and when a certain line left his voice, the crowd began cheering so loud that he could not even finish. When he continued, he finished off his poem and the defending champions from the last show, local rappers Kwaku Amponsah and Jose Barbosa, came on stage and began rapping. It was amazing. As they rapped, however, a live band played behind them. They have returned this year and will blow away the crowd.”

Acts this year will include the Asian cultural dance team SEAC, magician Steven Charette and many other local rappers, singers, dancers and slam poets. Of the 60 performers at the audition, only the best 20 ~ handpicked by the guys at Reckless ~ will hit the stage.

“The Universal Talent Show is a positive outlet for youth and young adults to express the one thing that makes them unique,” Rodriguez said. “It is a judgment- and conflict-free time when people of all races, social classes and affiliations can sit down and enjoy themselves.”

Performers will also have a chance to be scouted by Karon Shea Model Management, of Worcester, for the chance to participate in a model talent show in Los Angeles. Prizes will be given to the best acts, and judges include City Councilor Sarai Rivera; local movie director Steven Charette; Karon Shea, of Karon Shea’s Model Management; and Kristen Lucas, owner of Respect HER Hustle Clothing Company.

“When the lights come on and the first act begins, it’s really wonderful to see people appreciate what we do for them. They get five to nine minutes to perform, but they appreciate the five to nine. For them, it is like being on TV,” Reyes said. “I’m psyched, I really am.”

Tickets can be found online and bought at the door, but Tran said 800 of 1,000 available tickets have been sold and recommends purchasing tickets before the event.

The Universal Talent Show will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, June 27, at the Sullivan Auditorium at Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester. Tickets are $5 ($10 for front row seating) and can be purchased at universaltalentshow.eventbrite.com.

By Kevin Swenson