Vern Thiessen is one of Canada's most-produced playwrights. His plays have been seen across Canada, the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Europe.
Thiessen has written for stage, radio and television. His stage plays have been seen across Canada, the US, Asia, New Zealand, and Europe. Well known works include Shakespeare's Will, Lenins Embalmers, Apple, Einstein's Gift, Blowfish, The Courier, The Resurrection Of John Frum and Vimy. Einsteins Gift, Lenins Embalmers and A More Perfect Union have all been produced Off-Broadway.
Thiessen regularly writes for Theatre for Young Audiences, including Bird Brain, Windmill, and two musicals written with composer Olaf Pyttlik: Rich and Rapa Nui. He is currently working on several new plays including Saving Grace, commissioned by Susan and Leonard Nimoy; an adaptation of Maughams Of Human Bondage for the Shaw Festival; and Patriots (with Brian Dooley) for the Citadel Theatre.
Thiessen is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play, The City of Edmonton Arts Achievement Award, the University of Alberta Alumni Award for Excellence, The Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, the Carol Bolt Award, and the Alberta Playwrights Network Competition. In 2003, he won the Governor General's Literary Award, Canada's highest honour for playwriting. He has also been shortlisted for the prestigious Siminovitch Prize in Theatre and the Herman Voaden Competition.
Thiessen has served as Playwright in Residence at Workshop West Theatre and the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. He is a past president of both the Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Writer's Guild of Alberta . He is currently an Associate Artist with Epic Theatre Ensemble in New York City, where he writes, teaches and acts. He is also an advisory board member of New Yorks Wingspan Arts, and a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre.
Thiessen divides his time between Canada and New York City. He shares his life with acclaimed fiction writer Susie Moloney.
Videos
"But In a Funny Way," an insider interview with playwright Vern Thiessen.
"Something for Anyone," an insider interview with playwright Vern Thiessen.
"I Come By This Honestly," an insider interview with playwright Vern Thiessen.