While professional performers and local students will be the ones taking the stage when The Young Americans return to Dowagiac later this month, it will require more than just a couple stage hands to make sure the show goes off without a hitch.

Dowagiac Union Schools Choir Director Jeff Robinson and others with the school district are asking parents and others in the community for their support when the touring music group visits the city Sunday, Nov. 13 through Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The teacher is asking that people either donate money for student scholarships or provide temporary housing for performers visiting the city.

“We already have more than $1,000 in community help already, for support of the kids,” Robinson said. “It is all the behind the scenes people who make this event possible. It takes everyone to make this a reality.”

Robinson talked about the upcoming program during a presentation Thursday to the members of the Dowagiac Rotary Club, during its weekly meeting at the Dowagiac Elks Lodge. The choir teacher was invited to talk to the club by Rotarian and former Union Schools Superintendent Larry Crandall.

Around 200 third through 12th grade students have signed up to participate in the three-day workshop by the group, which will culminate with a performance by the professionals and participating students at 7 p.m. Nov. 15, at the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center. Tickets to the show cost $10.

This month’s visit by the Young Americans — a group of music and dance professionals who tour schools across world — will mark the fourth time the group has worked with Dowagiac students since Robinson began working in the district 15 years ago, he said.

“One of the organization’s goals is to bring music into the school district and fire up the kids about how it can change their lives,” Robinson said.

The group will arrive on Nov. 13, and will begin meeting with students that afternoon, teaching them more about song, dance and performing on stage, Robinson said. The professionals will spend the entire day with the students Monday, followed by a last rehearsal Tuesday afternoon before the performance that evening.

Around 45 members of the performance group will visit Dowagiac later this month for the workshop, the choir director said.

“These young people act as mentors, role models and inspirational partners, who get some of these students to step outside their comfort zones,” Robinson said. “It is the type of experience that will push them to their limits. It is a life-changing event.”

People interested in making a donation or hosting families can contact Union Schools at (269) 782-4400.