By Michael Eng | Managing Editor
Behind the stage at their recent performance at The Shops at Wiregrass, in Wesley Chapel, four members of Plant City’s Next Radical Generation gather together for an impromptu rehearsal. Decked out in coordinated silver costumes, the singers lean in. And even without microphones, their harmonies break through the white noise of Christmas shoppers buzzing through the plaza.
Hundreds gather for the evening performances in front of the stage. A less-experienced group could succumb under this pressure-cooker atmosphere.
But with dozens of performances already in the books — including two television appearances in the last three weeks — the members of N.R.G. thrive in the spotlight.
“Oh, they’re ready,” Director Yvonne Fry says. “They’re excited.”
This week, N.R.G. brings its Christmas repertoire home with two performances in Plant City. The group will perform at Lights of Love at 6 p.m. Dec. 6, and again at the Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Both events take place in Historic Downtown Plant City.
Watching the youth singing group perform, it’s hard to believe N.R.G. is less than three years old. The group began in 2010, after Fry learned several young artists were searching for a group with which to perform. Some Plant City students were traveling out of town just to showcase their talents, and Fry decided to spearhead an effort to keep those talents in the community.
“We wanted to be a wholesome Glee,” she says. “Plant City has a lot of people interested in the arts. This was a group of kids with diverse backgrounds. Some had musical theater training, others were dancers or solo artists.
“I pitched the idea, and they were absolutely in,” Fry says. “This is such a labor of love.”
Originally launched as a singing group, N.R.G. has since expanded into a full-fledged production company. In addition to the singers, the group also now features a live band, full tech crew, costume and makeup crew, and business management and networking departments. Furthermore, other than parents serving as chaperones and assisting with logistics, N.R.G. is entirely run by the students themselves.
“The kids run this business,” Fry says.
Business Manager Jourdain Cole, 13, spends as much as 20 hours each week helping with everything from scripting the shows and making cue cards to managing the rehearsal and performance calendars.
N.R.G. participants maintain a rigorous schedule. By year’s end, they will have performed more than 30 shows in 2012, including appearances at the Strawberry Festival in March, the Mitt Romney rally in October, in St. Petersburg, and the Empty Bowls Luncheon and Pioneer Days events in November.
“It’s important for (the kids) to participate in community events,” Fry says. “It’s important for them to know what it takes to make a community.”
The group creates custom set lists for every performance — including everything from popular hits on the radio today to specially themed programs such as their current Christmas performance. In addition to its cover material, N.R.G. also has written an original tune, “Never Gonna Stop Us.”
Although only some of the N.R.G. performers may pursue a career in the performing arts, Fry says the life lessons the group teaches will benefit each participant for years to come.
“This is not about building a career,” she says. “This is about building a person. They learn accountability, teamwork and attitude. … These kids will be the leaders in our community in the future.”
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Dec. 6: Lights of Love, Historic Downtown Plant City
Dec. 7: Christmas Parade, Historic Downtown Plant City
Dec. 19: Christmas Lane, Dover
Dec. 22: Now Snowing, Downtown Celebration
ONLINE PRESENCE
For more information, check out N.R.G.’s website at pcnrg.com. You also can become a fan on the group’s Facebook page, facebook.com/pcnrg.
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