How do small communities survive big recessions and global catastrophes? This is just one of the questions Small Town Project will be asking on Thursday and Friday (Nov. 26 and 27) night in Valemount.

“It examines the notion of home... This play is more about how small communities define ourselves culturally, economically and globally in an increasingly global world,” said playwright Sharon Stearns.

Stearns wrote the play in collaboration with the Robson Valley Theatre Collective and Seth McDonald, of the band Mamaguroove, helped to write some of the melody lines for the play.

Starring nine people, Stearns said the play looks at the impact of the economic turndown on small communities such as Valemount, McBride, and Tete Jaune.

“How they rally, how they don’t, what those challenges are and how we cope with changes... Especially in rural remote areas where I think primary industry is waning and we’re trying to work out how else we can make a living.”

Though the play may tackle some big issues, Stearns said overall it’s a light-hearted play targeted at a family audience.

“It’s taking serious community issues and trying to reflect them back on our community in a way... we don’t take any sides but try and present some relevant issues for sure,” she said. “The economic depression, the conflicts that arise between primary industry resource based economy and eco-tourism.”

For Stearns, who has been writing since the 1980s, the play is an opportunity to speak directly with people from the communities she’s writing about and this is what play-writing is all about.

“It’s a play about them, and ultimately that’s what theatre is all about,” she said. “Being able to move your audience in a way that’s going to be emotionally fulfilling.”

“Community theatre has got a lot of satisfaction,” she added. “To have an audience that connects with what you’re doing... a play that reflects the interests, or resonates with the community.”

The team has been rehearsing the two act play since about September, said Stearns, noting that all the participants also had full time jobs.

The play is on in Valemount this week Thursday and Friday (Nov. 26 and 27), and in McBride on Tuesday and Wednesday (Dec. 1 and 2).