doollee banner
The Playwrights Database
contact doollee


Vern Thiessen

VERN THIESSEN

  
Nationality:    Canadian
facebook     email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    Kensington Literary Representation  represented by Michael Petrasek

Vern Thiessen is one of Canada's most produced playwrights. He has written for stage, radio and television. His stage plays have been seen across Canada, the US and Europe, including Shakespeare's Will, Apple, Einstein's Gift, Blowfish, the Resurrection Of John Frum and Vimy. 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, and the Governor General's Literary Award, Canada's highest honour for playwriting. He has also been nominated for the prestigious Siminovitch Prize in Theatre. Thiessen received is BA from the University of Winnipeg and an MFA from the University of AlbertA. He has served as Playwright in Residence at Workshop West Theatre (where he founded he Playwrights Garage program), 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.

Buy Plays with Doollee

Each page of doollee.com has links to play/book outlets, either directly to the Publisher, through Stageplays.com and Amazon to the second hand and 1st editions of AbeBooks. These links will automatically take you to the relevant area obviating the need for further search.
AbeBooks.co.uk   AbeBooks.com   Stageplays.com   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.ca
whether you are a Playwright who wishes to make their entry definitive, an unlisted Playwright or a User with a tale to tell - we want to hear from you.
download WORD submission template

below is a list of Vern Thiessen's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Apple         Back To Berlin         Bird Brain         Blowfish         Courier, The         Dawn Quixote         Einstein's Gift         I Fell in Love with an Eel         Lenin's Embalmers         More Perfect Union         Resurrection of John Frum, The         Rich         Shakespeare's Will         Valentine         Vimy
Apple

Apple
Andy is in trouble. Downsized from his job, his marriage in crises, he looks to a mysterious young women for salvation. But when his wife becomes seriously ill, Andy must make a choice: care for an estranged wife, or run away with a woman he knows little about. A haunting tale of sex, secrets and the second chances.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada Press,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Back To Berlin

Back To Berlin
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-     01 May 2005

Organisations:
Performance Works

1st Published:
Contained in: "The Courier and Other Plays" published by Playwrights Canada Press 2006   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Monologue play

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Bird Brain

Synopsis:
Hat Street is a place controlled by rules and regulations and for those living there, following these rules is just part of life. When a hard-working man happens upon baby birds in the forest, he becomes enchanted with their song and gives them shelter under his hat. This makes it difficult to abide with Hat Street's Golden Rule: to always remove your hat in the presence of others. When the Queen comes along and he can't doff his hat even to her he faces a dilEmma: will he follow the rules. . . or follow his heart? This play is recommended for kids ages 4-9.
- nytheatre.com

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
theDrillingCompaNY

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
45 min TYA

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Blowfish

Synopsis:
What do food, funerals, the Edmonton tornado and Mila Mulroney have in common? Join the elegant and debonair caterer Lumiere as he serves you up a whole new eating experience.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Ottawa     1996

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada Press,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Courier, The

Synopsis:
A courier in Hitler's army must choose whether to read the contents of a letter he is carrying or remain in ignorance of what is happening

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Dawn Quixote

Synopsis:
Dawn lives in a fantasy world of comic book heroes

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Einstein's Gift

Einstein's Gift
A scientist who enhances life with his work and knowledge but discovers too late that knowledge in the wrong hands brings death. the ideal of science "to serve humanity" is shown in sharp contrast against the reality of political will, nationalism and war. Chance, pride, ego and passion collide in this piece based on the life and work of Nobel Laureate Dr. Fritz Haber, who risked everything for a country that never accepted him, but used his work to murder millions.

Notes:
2003 Governor General's Award for Drama

1st Produced:
Alberta     2003

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada Press,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

I Fell in Love with an Eel

Synopsis:
Edward loves Donna. Donna loves Gus. Gus loves an eel

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Lenin's Embalmers

Lenin's Embalmers
Inspired by the book Lenin's Embalmers by Ilya Zbarsky and Samuel Hutchinson, translated by Barbara Bray (Harvill Press, 1999), Lenin's Embalmers spins the tale of Boris Zbarsky and Vladimir Vorobiov, two scientists who were chosen by the Committee for Immortalization to embalm Vladimir Lenin after his death in 1924.
- nytheatre.com

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada Press 2011   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

More Perfect Union

Synopsis:
Commissioned and developed by Epic theatre Ensemble, A More Perfect Union is a new play about two law clerks at the U.S. Supreme Court who have very different backgrounds and opposing political views. When they fall in love their relationship challenges their ethics and careers, as well as threatens to expose a dirty little secret about the Highest Court in our land. This serious comedy about justice, compromise, and what America wears underneath its fancy robes is written by Vern Thiessen, one of Canada's most acclaimed playwrights
- press release

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
East 13th Street Theatre, NY     2009

Organisations:
Epic Theatre Ensemble

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Resurrection of John Frum, The

Synopsis:
A Christian and a worshipper of a Melanesian cargo cult try to convert each other

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Co-op, Toronto,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Rich

Synopsis:
Timm is a virtuoso skateboarder who trades his laughter for fame and money. Ri¢h challenges teens to consider the impact of advertising and media on our identity in the age of Canadian Idol, as well as their life choices. the hot music and DJ speak directly to teens, and the play will launch passionate dialogue about self esteem, the power of marketing and personal goals.

Notes:
Based on the novel Timm Thaller by James Kruss. Music And Lyrics by Olaf Pyttlik, book by Vern Thiessen.

1st Produced:
Canwest Performing Arts Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada     2008

Organisations:
Manitoba Theatre for Young People

1st Published:
DACAPO Productions, 2009   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Rock Musical for Teenagers Musical

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  1

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Shakespeare's Will

Shakespeare's Will
Loosely based on the life of Anne Hathaway, this one-woman show is a poetic and highly-theatrical tale of romance, reconciliation and revenge.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada Press,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Biographical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Valentine

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Vimy

Vimy
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada Press 2008   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page