Word for time that performers must arrive for a show or event

call time / call

call time (n.)

Theatre and Film. The time at which cast and crew are required to be at the theatre or on set. OED

(Performing arts) The expected time of arrival for participants in a performance event, e.g., a play or concert.

The performance starts at 2 pm; call time is 11 am for crew, noon for musicians. Wiktionary

call (n.)

2. The time when personnel must report: the call time; union call; i.e., the time when union stagehands and technicians, members of IATSE, must report for work. They are "on the clock" at the appointed call time. Blumfeld's Dictionary of Acting and Show Business (2009)


The time the actors arrive at the theatre is known as their call, and the time the play starts is called curtain. If they have a lot of makeup to apply, the actor's call might be several hours before curtain; if they have little hair or makeup to apply, call may be as little as forty-five minutes beforehand. William Downs et al.; The Art of Theatre (2007)

At the end of every rehearsal, you should remind the crew of their next call time. John Holloway; Illustrated Theatre Production Guide (2013)

The director or stage manager gives you a call time to get to the theater for this opening might performance and every other performances as well. Some actors like to get to the theater before the call time so that they have enough time to prepare. Katherine Mayfield; Acting A to Z (2010)


The AHD has this definition of call:

  1. A notice of rehearsal times posted in a theater.

This would seem to apply to your question.

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