Reading through some of the many posts on a wide variety of theatre issues I suddenly found myself unaware of the need for insurance coverage.

In considering starting a small (one person troup)-touring rural puppet theatre dependent upon available  performance space in a variety of locations, would this minimize or increase the need for insurance?

I gather that there are a number of liability considerations regarding the performer, performance, script content, etc.  Scripts, characters and etc. will be original.

Pardon my ignorance but the climate has changed since the 60's and I have been in a different sphere.

Thank you for your time. 

Although the following link is to an Australian site, they have a lot of good information about insurance for people such as you.  It is worth a read:

http://www.duckforcover.com.au - http://www.duckforcover.com.au

You might find similar info and appropriate cover from a local source.  I believe that there is an American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), or the like, which may be able to steer you in the right direction.

As for material; if you are performing your own work, you automatically have the copyright to that.  If you use ANYONE else's work (script, music, etc.), some sort if licencing arrangement MUST be met.  Again, the AACT would probably be able to assist you.

Cheers...