About WWOB
Our Mission
To entertain, educate, and enrich our local community by providing professional-level theatrical experiences for performers and audiences alike.
Our History
Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company was founded in 2014, but the dream and concept of such an organization has existed for much longer. WWOB's Artistic Director Summer Souza literally grew up in the theatre in California, singing, dancing and acting in countless performances with many different theatre companies. Her passion and love for theatre and performing followed her into adulthood, where she would meet her future husband Tony Souza, who also enjoyed acting and singing. After moving to Roswell in 2005 and starting a family, Summer returned to the stage, working briefly with the Roswell Community Little Theatre, and then performing in several ENMU-R productions including Grease, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Hairspray. Along the way Summer met fellow performers Dominic Batista, Eric Johnston-Ortiz and Julie Washichek who also shared her passion and love of performing, and was even able to coax her husband out of "retirement" to perform again. These five felt that local actors, actresses and audiences were ready for more opportunity to experience the magic of live theatre.
It was through this energy and desire that Way Way Off-Broadway was born.
Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company was founded by a group of people with a true passion for theatre and a dedicated belief in its importance in the community. Our company believes that the southeast New Mexico area is ready for the next level of theatrical production, both as performers and audience members. We believe that art, in all its forms, holds great importance in the lives and education of our children, and when it is absent the community suffers. We value the institutions and organizations already in place that support theatre and the arts, and look forward to working and collaborating with them to further our collective causes. As a non-profit organization, we feel that our community should profit from our productions, not the individual.
Like the art form it supports, WWOB continues to evolve and grow through each production and event. Board Members have come and gone, many new young performers have become regulars on stage while others have moved on to advance their studies or begin careers. And it's through this example that we demonstrate our most important quality – that theatre lives on beyond the individual. A set is designed and created, roles are cast, and a show is performed. It's a collaboration – a team effort. And then it goes away. Sets are disassembled, equipment is put up and people who have spent hour upon hour with one another say goodbye. And while it is sometimes difficult, it is never sad – because a new show, a new cast, a new set are ready to take its place. And thus it continues. It is our sincere hope that WWOB continues to flourish above and beyond our imagination. Beyond us.
The stage is set, the cast is rehearsed, and the audience is ready…
“We’ll see you at the Theatre.”
Leadership
As a registered non-profit corporation, Way Way Off-Broadway is overseen by a seven-member, elected Board of Directors. Board Members provide overall guidance and oversight of the company. In addition to the elected membership of the Board, former Board Members who have made a significant contribution to the founding of, and showed continued dedication to, the Company and its Mission, are given Legacy Member status on the Board, and serve the organization in this capacity indefinitely.
Chair · Artistic Director
Summer Souza is a founding member of Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company and currently serves as the Artistic Director. Summer has been involved in theatre for many years, and has also worked on several short film and web series projects. She was awarded Best Actress at the 2014 Roswell FilmFest Shootout for her performance in the short film, We The People, and was honored in 2016 as an Outstanding Citizen by the City of Roswell.
Vice-Chair · Managing Director
Tony is a founding member of Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company and currently serves as the Managing Director. Tony has worked both on stage and behind-the-scenes in the theatre for a number of years. Outside of the theatre, Tony works as a firefighter/paramedic for the City of Carlsbad Fire Department, and is also an adjunct faculty instructor for ENMU-Roswell's EMS Education Program. He is also a graduate of Leadership Roswell, Class of 2018.
Board Member
Julie Washichek is a founding member of Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company, having served on the Board of Directors from the beginning. She has worked both on stage and behind-the-scenes on several WWOB productions. Julie lives and works in Roswell, with her husband, Derek, and two children. She is excited to be a part of WWOB and to help the organization make an impact for the performing arts in our region.
Board Member · Music Director
Devon Bullock has been a part of musical theatre for over 15 years, and has spent the last three years as the Music Director for Way Way Off-Broadway Theatre Company. Devon has a bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Lubbock Christian University and has been teaching piano and voice for nearly ten years. She has a passion for educating people about performance and music and would love to see Roswell become a city known for the performing arts in both the community and in schools.
Board Member
Kyle Bullock is proud to serve on the WWOB Board. He is a fourth-generation jeweler at Bullock's Jewelry in Roswell. His passion for theatre began in college, where he met his wife during his first show. Now, he is eager to watch theatre change lives out in the community and bring the area to an even better quality of life. Kyle is also a bestselling, published author and playwright. His most successful play, Those Unforgettable Black Rims, won the 2012 Cordell Green Playwriting Festival in Lubbock, TX.
Board Member
Phil Davis has participated on stage with WWOB since 2019 and is a Champion of the Arts. He is the owner of Interstate Battery Systems of Pecos River Valley. Phil has an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and a Masters Degree in Business from Marquette University. Phil is a Rotarian and graduate of Leadership Roswell. He has been involved in theater and music throughout his life and strongly believes in the importance of the Arts for the individual as well as the community.
The Paperwork
Click a link below to view and download WWOB documents and forms. Documents, forms, or information within may not be copied or reproduced without expressed written consent from WWOB.