MILFORD – Writers and stage crew are gearing up for their upcoming performances of the Riverbend School of Theatre Arts One Act Playwriting Festival.

The student playwrights are Devon Labonte, 16, a sophomore at Alvirne High School in Hudson who will director “Just Wait;” Renee Reeves, of Merrimack, a 17-year-old home-schooled student will direct “A Ghra;” and Sarah Gill, 16, of Gilford, will direct “The Wednesday Man.”

LaBonte said her play ties in well with the setting and has been impressed by the progress of her production.

“So far we’ve gone through the play quite a few times, but we are at the point that we need to focus on the little details and humor of the play,“ she said.

“Just Wait” stars Jonathan Edelblut, Emma Ayotte, Kat Feraco and Jessica Harper. For Edelblut, 17, a home-schooler from Wilton, the challenge he had to overcome was finding a balance between his character’s personality and how he relates to the other characters on stage.

“I think that breaking the fourth wall between the actors and the audience is always present if the actors can bring the audience into the scene with their characters,” Edelblut said.

Sarah Gill is new to the Riverbend School of Theatre Arts One Act Playwriting Festival and will hold this experience close to her for a long time. Her play “The Wednesday Man” is a fictional piece that was inspired by her fascination with the job of every English teacher she has ever had. A character that stands out to her is D.B., who is played by Alec Paulson, of Hollis. This character is constantly challenging the main character played by Lucas Nevrla, of Amherst. “The Wednesday Man” stars Nevrla, Paulson and John Sheridan.

Gill is looking forward to the performances.

“The theater is beautiful and being given this opportunity is fantastic. I can’t wait to see the show all done and in action,” Gill said.

Renee Reeves, of Merrimack, playwright and director of “A Ghra,” has enjoyed her first directing experience with the one-act play festival.

“This has been an entirely new experience from the beginning. I’d never watched auditions before, never cast a play, never hosted a read-through, and never done music direction,” Reeves said. “The cast has been energetic and creative, though, and Toby and Lucas have been dependable support.”

Reeves researched St. Bridget’s Complaint, which is said to be a tradition dating to 5th century Ireland. The idea behind St. Bridget’s Complaint is a day during leap year when St. Patrick gives women permission to propose to men. “A Ghra” stars Lily Ayotte, Elizabeth Long, Max Barnaby, Elizabeth Elkin, Haley Brannelly, Connor McDonald and Matt Campbell.

Elizabeth Elkin, 16, a sophomore at Hollis Brookline High School, makes her debut performance in the One Act Playwriting Festival as Noamh in “A Ghra.” She has enjoyed working with the cast. Her role is the most dramatic one she has played so far and she looks forward to the performances. She said her character is unique.

“A lot of what she does isn’t verbal, so playing her is more than just saying lines. I’ve had to learn to show rather than tell,” Elkin said.

Raven Bartlett, a 13-year-old home-schooler from Wilton is serving as stage manager for the festival. She said she is enjoying her experience and is impressed by the plays and casts. What stands out to her most about the productions is the way the characters interact with each other on stage, she said. She took notice of Edelblut’s character Ben in “Just Wait.”

“Dr. Carter’s character is hysterical and it shows to me that Jon is not afraid to put himself out there,” Bartlett said.

The seventh annual Riverbend School of Theatre Arts One Act Playwriting Festival performances take place at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 and 28. Tickets are $5 at the door.