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Christy: Swimming with Whales actually began as the play Whales and had its first development at Seven Devils eight years ago. How did you come to submit your play?
Bob: Seven Devils was my first real development experience out of graduate school. I met Larry Loebell at the Kennedy Center's American College Theater Festival where he saw a reading of the play with student actors directed by a Washington, DC-based professional director. Larry pulled me aside and encouraged me to submit to Seven Devils. And at this point, I never had submitted anywhere. So I was kind of clueless. I remember the day that Jeni called me to tell me the play was being invited and I immediately started freaking out. What have I gotten myself into?
Bob: I added new scenes that are still in the play. The prologue with Owen and Ketos was added at Seven Devils and was in the world premiere. It is such a beautiful way to enter the world on the beach and the world at the bottom of the ocean.
Christy: What has changed in the play since Seven Devils?
Bob: I wrote two new scenes, which the play really needed and which made all the difference. I think, so I think the bottom line is Seven Devils showed me what I want in a development experience and what I don't want. Christy: What was the reception and impact on the community who saw the production?
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