By Joe Holder
School Liaison Office
USAG Stuttgart
In early November, the Young Americans International Outreach Tour–Fall 2018 arrived in Stuttgart as part of its three-month European tour to provide a three-day workshop for 158 Stuttgart kids, culminating in a two-act show to an audience of more than 500 community members.
The traveling YA cast members are a group of 40 international (mostly American) women and men who arrived with a lot of energy and the knack to get kids to step outside of their artistic comfort zones. They built self-confidence, team work and resiliency
“I was terrified trying something new,” said Stuttgart High School 9th grader Kenzie Huebschman. “The YA cast members encouraging us performing for the community is one thing I’ll never forget.”
To house the YA during their Stuttgart stay, community member Susanne Galvin coordinated 15 families to open their homes to the performers. She said opening her home and making the YAs feel welcome was the best experience for her husband and family.
“Coming to Stuttgart is like a breath of fresh air and a place for us to feel at home,” said Chloe Hagmann, YA tour manager. “The families here gave us the America we have missed while on tour in Europe.”
The first act of the YA show highlighted all of the talent within the troop. The second act, added our kids with singing, dancing, costumes, and props,.
Although the Young Americans of 2018 have gone, they will return in 2019 to once again push the envelope of the Stuttgart kids.