Vern Thiessen is a prominent Canadian playwright whose work has been widely produced across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, around 1964, Thiessen completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Winnipeg before earning a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Alberta. He has since established himself as a major voice in contemporary Canadian theatre, serving as the artistic director of Workshop West Theatre in Edmonton and holding residencies at various prestigious institutions, including the Citadel Theatre and the Epic Theatre Ensemble in New York.
Throughout his career, Thiessen has written a diverse body of work that frequently explores historical figures and complex ethical dilemmas. Among his most celebrated plays is Einstein's Gift, which won the Governor General's Award for English-language drama, and Lenin's Embalmers, which was a finalist for the same honor and received an Off-Broadway production. Other notable works include Vimy, which earned the Carol Bolt Award for Best Play, Apple, and Shakespeare's Will. His theatrical adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's Of Human Bondage won the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play in 2014.
In addition to his playwriting, Thiessen has been an active leader in the Canadian literary community, serving as past president of both the Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Writers' Guild of Alberta. His plays, published by Playwrights Canada Press, have been translated into numerous languages, including German, French, Polish, and Hebrew. He is married to novelist Susie Moloney and has split his time between Edmonton and New York City.
