A theatrical production would not be complete without the efforts of some highly skilled behind-the-scenes positions as the stage manager, assistant stage manager, the lighting and sound designer and the props persons.

The stage manager coordinates the work to prepare the show for the stage. This job requires technical knowledge, organization, attention to detail, a passion for the performing arts and the ability to work in a team environment.

Eric Emerson will be taking on the aforementioned responsibilities for “Drinking Habits.” During the past 12 years of his membership with Sun City Players, he has been involved in many different aspects of theater activities to include ushering, set construction, props and acting. Emerson is also a talented singer and has appeared in several musical productions.

The assistant stage manager role will be handled by Andrea Dixon, a relative newcomer to Sun City Players. Her duties include the safety of the individuals backstage, safeguarding the theatrical backdrop, determining the starting time of the show, calling the cues and encouraging confidence in the actors.

Dixon is involved in Readers Theater and has appeared in “Airport Adventures” at a Monday Night entertainment session, as well as been a participant in Sun City Players “Song and Story Night.” She loves to sing and would be interested in being a musical director, and even a lighting or sound engineer in future productions.

The lighting designer collaborates with the director to determine the initial lighting plan. Without the proper lighting, production would be severely impacted, if not impossible.

Tad Daughters will be handling the stage and house lighting for Drinking Habits. According to Daughters, “lighting helps set the mood for the action in the play, in addition to letting the audience know when the performance is about to start and end.”

Daughters has been a dedicated member of Sun City Players, having acted in 19 plays, sometimes portraying multiple roles. He has also helped with set construction, set painting, play production, stage crew, ticket selling, ushering and membership. He is currently serving on the executive board.

Intertwining creativity with technical expertise, the sound designer will analyze scripts and collaborate with the director, stage manager and lighting technician to produce the desired sound effects in the theater.

Mike Dvorak started providing sound design for Sun City Players in 2016, when he was working for RCSC in the entertainment division. It was at that time that he joined the theater group.

Dvorak continues to offer his services now during his retirement years. In addition to the tasks mentioned earlier, he is responsible for looking over the equipment, checking connections, and maintaining sound quality.

A prop person is responsible for organizing, maintaining, and overseeing the use of all props used in a production, ensuring they are readily available on set, and that actors handle them safely. This includes sourcing, storing, transporting and managing the continuity of props throughout the production.

The two props persons for “Drinking Habits” are Sandra Mischo and Carol Rupprecht, both of whom are taking on this position with Sun City Players for the first time.

Mischo enjoys working behind the scenes and has assisted with set construction and tear down. Rupprecht, who just recently joined Sun City Players, is interested in all aspects of theater production.

“Drinking Habits” will be presented 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16 and 17. It will again be performed 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22 and 23, followed by a closing matinee 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. All shows are at Mountain View Recreation Center, 9749 N. 107th Ave.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets are available at suncityplayers.org and in person 10 a.m.-noon, Monday-Thursday, Nov. 11-14 and 18-21 at Fairway Recreation Center, 10600 W. Peoria Ave. Individuals can also purchase a ticket for the spring musical production of “The 1940’s Radio Hour” for March 14-16 and March 21-23, 2025 and pay $25 for both plays.