How do I book the team?

Would you like to use the Puppet and Clown Ministry Team as a resource for your church or organization or community event?

Follow these steps:

Step 1:
Select a couple of dates and times you would like to use the ministry of the puppet and clown team.

Step 2:
Contact the Team Director, Karen A. Torbert, through the Cathedral of the Cross Church office at 205.854.7777 to discuss details of the needed performance. OR e-mail the details of the needed performance to karen.torbert@puppetsandclowns.com.

Step 3:
Once an agreed upon date and performance details have been established, fill out and return to us a Ministry Agreement form to finalize your booking.

What details do I need to plan for?

The puppet and clown team will need at least an hour to 1 ½ hours to set-up prior to a performance. The team will also need at least 45 minutes to an hour to break down and pack up when it is appropriate to do so.

The puppet stage is 20 feet wide and we need 10 to 12 feet of depth in order to adequately set up for a performance. The clowns perform in front of the puppet stage and require at least 8 feet from the front of the stage to the audience.

We can bring our own sound system which will only require an electrical supply nearby. Our sound system is suitable for small auditoriums holding up to 200- 250 people. For larger facilities, we may need to use the in-house sound system. Our only requirement would be that the in-house system provides a CD player for our pre-recorded program. For outside performances, our sound system will easily cover 200 to 300 people.

For outside performances, special precautions have to be considered as to a level surface to set-up the puppet stage and performance area, strong winds that will rock or blow down the puppet stage, and heat, humidity, or rain that can ruin puppets, clowns and props.

Our puppet and clown team consists of dedicated individuals who desire to minister and each individual is very important to the presentation of each performance. There are times due to illness or family emergencies, that two or more of our team members may not be able to make a scheduled performance. In the event of this happening, we may have to cancel our booking. We will give as much prior notice to the contact person of your sponsoring group as possible. ***(The puppet and clown team has not had to cancel a performance since we have begun ministering together in 2003.)

What about the cost?

Our puppet and clown team is an outreach ministry of Cathedral of the Cross Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

We do not require or expect a performance fee, Honorarium, an offering, or a charge for basic expenses. We want to be a "free" resource as much as possible to your group. If you wish to give something at a later time to sow into our "resource" ministry, it will be received with heartfelt thanks.

In the event that long distance traveling is required to get to your location, we might ask you to provide food and /or lodging for our team.