The Players

The Players (from left to right): Nancy Reed, Cindy Sweeney, Martha Crawford, Fran Bogle, Danyal Mohammadzadeh, Matia Angelou. (Current members not pictured: Molly Conole & Bill Ladd.)

Fran Bogle

I'm the coordinator of that Just Peace Players and have been enjoying this ministry for 18 years. I love to write, laugh, and move people to tears...just don't ask me to dance! Creating a new play almost every year is a challenge and a joy. I've had fun being a bear, a lobster, a pirate, a space alien and Pilate. My partner Debbie, was one of the founders of the Players, and I am grateful for her continuing support, editing and help preparing our forums and resources for congregations.

Matia Angelou

I am the newest player with the Just Peace Players. I started performing “Women of the Greatest Generation” with Fran and Nancy in 2015, and have enjoyed bringing these inspiring stories to audiences throughout Massachusetts. I have a passion for music and singing and love to bring our message of peace, justice, and courage forward with song. I am now part of the troupe presenting “The Lawyer’s Question” and look forward to sharing the important message of our newest play with many people as we continue our work of bringing peace and justice to others.

Molly Conole

I joined this wonderful troupe of caring, justice-seeking players in June of 2020. I first met the JPP’s at a UCC Super Saturday event, then invited them to entertain the idea of a Zoom performance at our First Congregational Church in West Tisbury, MA . It went so well and was so much fun that I asked to join and was warmly welcomed. I look forward to our joyful and meaningful virtual time together each week. After having spent 25 years in Orlando FL performing as a professional voiceover recording artist, composer, conductor, teacher, writer and professional improv actor and singer, I am happy to be back on my home island of Martha’s Vineyard, MA where I get to do all of those things amidst wicked awesome scenery.

Martha Crawford

It's hard to believe that I have been a Player for over a decade! It feels like yesterday when I joined the group. Since then I've played a grandmother, battered woman, birdwatcher complete with binoculars, and Mrs. F...everyone's Sunday School Teacher. I like to write for the plays, and have fun meeting people at different churches and conferences. I'm adept at arranging our literature table, and always have new ideas to share.

Bill Ladd

I am very excited to be in my third season as a member of the Just Peace Players. Besides being clergy in the UCC, I have a distinguished background in theater, motion pictures, television, and radio. Bringing these gifts and graces to the JPP has been incredibly rewarding in helping to spread the many stories and messages of social justice. I am a member of First Congregational Church Natick and a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School.

Nancy Reed

My ministry began as a pastor in a local church, and I have been a hospital chaplain and director of pastoral care for many years. In my four years with the Players I've had fun singing the "Blue Heron Blues," writing and singing as a roseate spoonbill praying for the Gulf Coast after the BP oil spill, and playing a wonder fat cat on a diet. Through the Players I have discovered new gifts, celebrated God's amazing love for us, and learned to use my GPS.

Cindy Sweeney

I'm also part of the new arrivals, though not new to the UCC or Edwards Church, now my home church once again. I joined Edwards in 1971 and have always been interested in drama I worked on the 1st Christmas pageant that Edwards had!