Paoli School for the Blind Wins With Performance of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'

By Kellie Gates

Royer-Greaves School for Blind client Noel Bourgeois memorized the insults he hurled at The Grinch (played by student Elijah English) during Sunday’s performance by listening to a CD.

Bourgeois drew on personal experience for the delivery of crowd-pleasers such as, “The three words that best describe you are, and I quote: ‘Stink! Stank! Stunk!’"

“I did it just like when I’m mad,” he said.

Royer-Greaves’ holiday show is always one of the year’s highlights for the entire school community. The school and adult training center serves students and adult clients who have visual and other impairments, as well as intellectual and physical disabilities. Some are non-verbal, and music is their favorite form of expression. “For everyone on campus, verbal or not, the universal language of music is a very powerful way to connect,” said Music Therapist Suzanne Kane. This is why the free, annual holiday performance is so meaningful to everyone at Royer-Greaves. It allows students and clients to make a connection with the community.

“It’s exciting to perform in front of everybody,” said client Brandy Bancroft.

Performers sang, danced and played bells and other instruments. They included not just students and clients, but school faculty and staff, family members, and other friends. Kane organizes and choreographs just about everything. Volunteer Ron Curry – himself a former student – played the piano. The list of behind-the-scenes players who made costumes or props is long, and for everyone, it’s a labor of love, said Royer-Greaves Executive Director Vicky Mayer.

This year’s performance was the best-attended ever. “We ran out of seats! We went scrambling to find more,” Mayer said.

“Everyone had a really good time. And our families were so touched to see their person on stage, shining.”

Image via Kellie Gates.