When we make our art with other people, we have many interdependencies. It takes lots of commitment and sacrifice to come together to rehearse and perform.
When one of us isn’t there until just before the downbeat, it causes anxiety among the people already present and ready to go. Even if they show up “just in time,” it can leave everyone else unsettled.
Being there early is not just calming for us. It’s calming for the whole group. Being punctual is another form of respect for your colleagues.
Being punctual is non-negotiable.