Thirteen years ago Pam Duran came to the United States from Ecuador seeking higher education. Since then she has settled in Washington D.C. where she is pursuing her law degree with the goal of working as an immigration lawyer.

Pam, her mother Sophia and her boyfriend Michael Derick offer a unique perspective on what it’s like to come to the U.S. as a Latin American immigrant and the impact the current political climate is having on Latin Americans in the U.S..

Comedian/Celebrity Impressionist Michael Petit

Michael Petit has been entertaining audiences across the country for over 30 years. Mike is a nationally headlining comedian/celebrity impressionist and has performed at Hollywood’s legendary Comedy Store, had numerous television appearances on Comedy Central, ESPN and NESN along with regular gigs on cruise ships and in Las Vegas. Michael still performs at the Improv, Comedy Store, Laugh Factory in LA and at A room Comedy Clubs across the country. He is a highly sought after MC and host providing entertainment for various charities and corporations. He recently moved back from Hollywood to his home town of Attleboro Massachusetts where he resides with girlfriend (AKA “the Lovely and Talented”) and his BFF (Best Furry Friend) Big Murph.

Juri Love was born on September 3, 1976, in Japan. Her vast accomplishments are made even more incredible as Juri is the victim of childhood sexual abuse and homelessness. Juri is a courageous and resilient woman who managed to turn the horror of her abuse into a life long passion to help others.

She is a former Founder/President of Genuine Voices, a nonprofit which taught music in Juvenile Detention Centers. Juri is a recipient of “Heroes Among Us” from NBA Boston Celtics and Volunteerism award from The New England Patriots. Her inspiring life was featured in many media including Japanese Reality Show which aired in 2017and viewed by 7.5 million people.

Juri is also a musician, model, actor, motivational speaker, reporter for The Foxboro Reporter, Reiki Practitioner, Life Coach, author and active Rotarian. She is a scholarship recipient of Berklee College of Music and has toured nationally and recorded/produced many albums.

Juri is married to a Nigerian husband Chukwunwike Onwuakor and has two children, Jaden Onwuakor and Jayla Onwuakor.

Andy Short is an Executive Director and actor with the Improbable Players. Andy is in long term recovery from Substance Use Disorder. He shares his story the goal of helping people develop an understanding of the nature of addiction as well as identifying resources in the community that can assist with prevention.

About Improbable Players

Improbable Players uses theater performances & workshops to address addiction, alcoholism, and the opioid epidemic. Our performances are 25-45 minutes long followed by a talkback/Q&A. Our workshops give students the space and tools to combat social pressures and find coping strategies that work for them.Our plays are based on true stories and performed by people in recovery.

Our work is appropriate for 6th grade and up. In addition to schools, we’ve performed at conferences, treatment centers, and community events across the country.

Improbable Players have been performing the mission of substance use disorder prevention since 1984. With each performance we collect feedback. The sentiments are clear: our work is uniquely impactful because our actors have lived the stories they perform. These are universally relatable stories.

This feedback is bolstered by research by John F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP with Recovery Research Institute at MGH. His pre and post show surveys show significant changes in attitudes and knowledge of school age audiences. This is evidence based prevention education

Paul is an actor living/working in the Boston area. He is also a free lance writer, an amateur hockey goalie, a proud Dad and grandfather.

Paul lives life with passion; his motto is “what’s around the next corner”… he is quick witted, funny, compassionate and excited about life.

Paul’s life has reflected his values. He started as a salesman at Sears, took a job as a flight attendant and finally took the leap to his real passion, acting.

Paul is a cast member with COAAST www.coaast.org , has appeared in dozens of films, including the leading role in the critically acclaimed movie Sundown which can be seen on Amazon starting April 3rd. He has played everything from serial killers to grandfathers to millionaires and enjoys every single opportunity looking forward to the next adventure “around the corner”.

Reverend Ron Tibbetts is a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. He served as the Executive Director of Neighborhood Action Inc in Boston where he ministered to the homeless for over 17 years.

Following is an excerpt from a 2002 article on his ministry with Neighborhood Action;

“If you happen to be standing on the Boston Common just before 7 A.M. on any given day, you might see Ron Tibbets walking to church. Plant yourself anywhere between the Park Street ‘T’ stop and the State House and you might hear him call out the name of somebody lying on a bench before stopping to talk for a few moments. Then he continues on, making his way up to Beacon Street, then around the corner and down the hill onto Bowdoin Street.

The Rev. Ronald Tibbets, a vocational deacon in the diocese, is the executive director of Neighborhood Action Inc., which operates as the social ministry arm of St. John’s.

Mopping floors of the parish hall at St. John’s, helping in the kitchen and then putting on the clerical collar to say the blessing at the Thursday evening meal, Deacon Tibbets is, in the words of the prayer book, interpreting “to the church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world.” And he is joined by a dedicated cadre of staff members and volunteers who find that they are humbled, challenged and fed by their involvement with Neighborhood Action.

Leaving theological or liturgical differences at the door, volunteers get to work in creating “a place of trust and certainty,” as Deacon Tibbets put it. Sometimes, when he offers a mealtime prayer of thanksgiving for the presence of all gathered, he gets a round of applause in return.

Deacon Tibbets and others are fed because they are honored to have been trusted by their guests, even if they are sometimes startled by what they hear. And everyone has been transformed.”

Most recently Rev Tibbetts has been an integral part of the #2069 project. This campaign, originated at Trinity Episcopal Church in Wrentham Massachusetts, seeks to reduce stigma and promote understanding of substance use disorder.