Alvirne sophomore’s play set in dentist office waiting room

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Submitteed photo
Devon Labonte, 16, a sophomore at Alvirne High School in Hudson, who will director “Just Wait” at the seventh annual One Act Playwriting Festival.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series of three interviews with the winning student writers and directors of the Riverbend School of Theater Arts’ seventh annual One Act Playwriting Festival.

Devon LaBonte, 16, is a sophomore at Alvirne High School.

Question: Why did you participate in the contest?

Answer: After participating in the contest last year, I already knew what a great, uplifting experience it was.

Q: What is the name of your play?

A: The name of my play is “Just Wait.”

Q: What is your play about?

A: My play is about an average day in a dentist’s waiting room that gets turned upside down when an eccentric stranger enters the room.

Q: What gave you the idea for this play?

A: I recently had a dentist’s appointment, which gave me the idea to set my play in a waiting room. It’s a perfect place to set a comedy because it’s such an awkward, uncomfortable time when people are waiting for the dentist.

Q: What challenges did you face in directing the play?

A: As director, I have had to maintain the balance between goofing off and working. That said, we always have fun, even when we’re working hard.

Q: What is the most memorable moment in writing or directing the play?

A: I have many memorable moments from directing this play, all of them being hilarious improvisations by my talented actors.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: My hobbies are writing, reading, theatre, and playing the viola.

Q: What are your future goals?

A: My future goals are to finish college and then travel the world. I have always wanted to see the world.