Hilarie Burton Instagram – It was exactly 10 years ago, in December of 2013, that I took Gus to his first ever theater production. He was only three, but I’d heard good things about the @rbkcenter in our community and so I hoped that my toddler would behave through the show. Gus did better than just behave….he fell in love with the stage. Since then, we’ve hosted his preschool birthday party and seen countless shows at @rbkcenter . When they did Peter Pan years back, Gus watched the show in full Captain Hook costume. When they did Oliver, we sat in the front row and shuddered at scary Bill Sykes. We loved Clue, and just recently enjoyed Peter and the Starcatcher on a school field trip. Last year was Gus’s first time ON stage. He played Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol and @jeffreydeanmorgan and I couldn’t believe how focused and committed our boy was. He never asked us to run lines. He did all the work himself. And he shined on that stage. This year? Our boy is Scrooge. He found humor in all of Scrooge’s complaining. He made us cry when he teared up seeing the mistakes of his past. I want to remember this day forever. Cause he’s so happy. Community gems like @rbkcenter don’t come cheap, and they are worth every penny to protect! They are safe spaces where kids and grownups alike can grow and connect and celebrate each other. I’m so grateful for this theater in my community. @jeffreydeanmorgan and I have donated and hope you will consider doing the same. Give the gift of Theatre this holiday season! Buy a membership for someone you love and give them show tickets all year long! Info is on their Insta page bio. And Gus. If you ever read this. You were magic. Daddy and I are beyond proud. Bah humbug!