This was a community theater production, so no union issues to worry about. The costumer had already left for the day, she left after the show started and everyone was in good shape. I was in contact with the SM via walkie talkie. He is in the booth at the back of the house, dressing rooms are backstage up a flight of stairs. I had the rest of the cast holding backstage, near places, waiting for me, the other ASM and the actor. The walkie talkies we're using aren't the best, understanding clearly what is being said when everything is working is chancy, so at that time, it was really difficult to hear him. But yes, you're right of course, I would have deferred to him ordering "start the act, fix it when he's off stage in 15."