lOL...Really? Do you actually think that the conductor is going to spend any of his precious time running out to FOH to listen to the orchestra, while who conducts the rehearsal? Not going to happen, especially if they are a union orchestra and they are under tight rehearsal/break time limits.
Better to talk to the artistic director or executive/managing director who are the ones who probably write the checks and book the crew for next year's show anyway.
FWIW: The professional orchestra I perform in (member of the clarinet section) IS a union orchestra (BMA; Boston Musicians' Association). During our "pops series" the assistant conductor stays at the FOH to direct the tech's mix.....just saying...