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. Well known works include Shakespeare's Will, Apple, Blowfish, The Courier, The Resurrection Of John Frum and Vimy. His plays Einsteins Gift, Lenin's Embalmers and A More Perfect Union have all been produced Off-Broadway. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play and the University of Alberta Alumni Award for Excellence. In 2003, he won the Governor General's Literary Award, Canada's highest honour for playwriting. He has also been shortlisted for the 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 and is an Associate Artist with Epic Theatre Ensemble and Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City.