My CT has regular "issues" with attendance at rehearsals, and our board (i'm the VP) is considering a $20 "rehearsal deposit." They way we are thinking it would work is this:  Everyone in the cast pays $20 at the first rehearsal (in cash or by check) and if they have attended all rehearsals it will be returned at the final performance. 

While you deserve credit for coming up with a new idea for a solution to this problem, I agree with biggertigger that this probably isn't going to be the answer.  For some people the $20 might be a hardship and for others they could pay that many times over and it wouldn't make them any more loyal to the group.  We are particularly challenged with creating an atmosphere where people want to work collaboratively, where they feel a sense of responsibility to the ensemble and happy to be a part of things without beating them over the head with it.  (Although I admit that can be mighty appealing sometimes.)   And yet, even with the one big happy family ensemble, there will be times when people miss for one reason or another and often their reason will not be a very good one.  I feel that it is  the absent person's responsiblity to fill her/himself in on what happened at the missed rehearsal by asking either the director, assistant director, or stage manager  for any missed information, such as changes in schedules, changes in blocking, etc. 

One thing people tend to forget that theater is a business.  Your goal is to generate money so that you may pay the bills for one show and continue on with future shows. 

If I saw that question on a audition form, it would be left blank.  That sounds too much like a English 101 essay question and I have a big problem with that kind of thing. (Not in the sense of "I have a problem with the war in Iraq" but in the sense of "I have a problem moving an upright piano to the second floor by myself")

Attendance is always an issue, especially if you have a show early in the season, near the time school is going back in session.  The summer is a LOUSY time to try and schedule rehearsals. 

I always have an attendance chart on the wall and actually use it.  If someone misses too often, then there is a private talking to.  In spite of absences, the show always goes on... but I understand what you are saying.

Im a stickler for punctuality, and I am almost always the first person there, even when in the cast.  I start on time, and if somebody isn't there, then myself or somebody else reads.  In our Christmas performance of "The Bench," (a good play by  the way) we had somebody who was doing a show in another city up until the final week of rehearsals.  At one point I honestly though I would have to stand in, but he was great in the role, and his absence was known at auditions.

We always ask for conflicts, and part of the job of the director is to creatively schedule rehearsals to get the best show possible produced.  This includes organizing conflicts and rehearsals around them, in my opinion. 

Tardiness, however, is a very sticky subject. If it becomes an issue, I would talk with them privately rather than keep raving about how it is important to be on time.  They will probably know you are talking to them, and have a negative attitude because you are openly criticizing them.   Privately is definitely the way I go.