booking me in real life
Performing So an autistic priest and a service dog walked into a bar...
My play So an autistic priest and a service dog walked into a bar... has a cast of one human and one dog. It was designed to be low technical needs, requiring a comfortable chair or sofa, and a screen (TV or projector) large enough to be seen by the audience and, if the venue requires, a microphone.
The play can be done in theatres or churches or nontraditional venues that can meet the above requirements.
I am booking performances only in cities to which I am not in the 2025 Fringe Festival lotteries. If you manage a venue, let's find a symbiotic way to make this show happen! Contact me.
Preaching
On weekends I am free, I am happy to preach at your church! (Or synagogue!) For congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada, there is no fee. For other congregations, please pay according to your tradition's normative rate and coordinate with me--depending on your distance from Montréal--reasonable travel allowance.
Workshop Leadership, Panel Discussions, and Keynote Addresses
When available, I am happy to participate in conferences and academic events relevant to my fields of expertise. Generally within Montréal, I am happy to do such things for free--although I do ethically expect to be compensated equivalent to other participants if they are being compensated. Outside of Montréal, I am happy to help when available for equal compensation to other participants in the case of workshop leading and panel discussions, and an agreed upon travel allowance. In solidarity with talented scholars and colleagues too often overlooked, I prefer not to participate in all-male panels.
Do you speak for free anywhere?
I often speak in settings where attending is free, including church and synagogue services. At conferences, there is usually a registration fee to cover the costs of the event. I do, however, charge a fee to the organizers for my appearances. Two exceptions I make are for ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada, who compensate me by their gifts to the national office, and occasional academic events near my home in Montréal.
Why do you charge to speak if you are pastor?
My landlord, my local grocery store, my pharmacy, my car insurance company, they all still charge me to use their services. Like any helping professional, I was content to accept a salary below what my education and experience would likely earn in other fields to do what I feel passionately called to do, but I still invested years of formal education and practice into what I do, and I still have financial responsibilities to meet.
What do you charge for travel allowance?
I travel modestly. When arranging an event, we can work together to find the best deals, but generally I prefer to drive and request an amount between actual gas prices and the Canada Revenue Agency/Internal Revenue Service distance allowances, or the actual costs of flight and ground transport for more distant events, modest meals en route, and private accommodations.
Will you do my wedding, a family funeral, or a baptism?
I only participate in such sacred events for people I already know personally and through my church community. I recommend you find someone faithfully serving near you.
What needs should a host event cover for you?
If any kind of projection or screen sharing is required, we can discuss technical issues in advance. I am autistic and accompanied by a service dog. I carry everything she needs with me, but it is important to me that her presence is not a surprise to others, when possible! I am happy to participate in multiple day conferences and events, but cannot be "on duty" the entire time without rests or alone time. I have also retired from sleeping on church floors.