Tom Hegg
Encyclopedia
Tom Hegg is an American author
, teacher
and theatrical professional who performed for many seasons as a member of the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
.
Hegg lives with wife Peggy Hegg in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
. Hegg is best known for selling 1.5 million copies of his first book, A Cup of Christmas Tea, illustrated by Warren Hanson. Hegg and Hanson's working relationship continued with nine more illustrated books including three books featuring a colorful bear named Peef. Hegg has also collaborated on The Handsome Prince with illustrator Kevin Cannon
.
Hegg wrote A Cup of Christmas Tea in 1981, when his pastor asked him to write something for his church's 125th anniversary. Drawing on childhood memories, he composed a straightforward, sentimental poem that brought tears to his audience's eyes. First published in 1982, it's been a seasonal best-seller ever since.
Hegg's subsequent books have included Mark of the Maker, which focuses on Joseph
, father of Jesus
; Up to the Lake, a collection of poems focused around a family's trip to their vacation home, the "Peef" series of books about the adventures of a teddy bear
, and To Nourish Any Flower: The Request Collection, which is a collection of poems he wrote and presented to family, friends, and students over the course of several years.
Since the early-1980s, Tom Hegg has taught drama at Breck School
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he has received the honor of being named a Master Teacher. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers in the dramatic arts; probably the most famous of them is Marisa Coughlan. Eric Stolhanske, a member of the Broken Lizard Comedy group, was also a student, and starred alongside Coughlan. Charlie Korsmo
also was a student of Hegg's, but this was after most of his films. Bobby McFerrin
's son was enrolled at Breck and performed in at least one major Breck musical production directed by Hegg when McFerrin served as a Guest Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra
.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and theatrical professional who performed for many seasons as a member of the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre
Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater is a center for theater performance, production, education, and professional training in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the result of the desire of Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Oliver Rea, and Peter Zeisler to create a resident acting company that would produce and perform the classics in...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
.
Hegg lives with wife Peggy Hegg in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 54,901 people, 20,457 households, and 14,579 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 21,026 housing units at an average density of 649.2 per square mile...
. Hegg is best known for selling 1.5 million copies of his first book, A Cup of Christmas Tea, illustrated by Warren Hanson. Hegg and Hanson's working relationship continued with nine more illustrated books including three books featuring a colorful bear named Peef. Hegg has also collaborated on The Handsome Prince with illustrator Kevin Cannon
Kevin Cannon
Kevin Cannon is an American cartoonist and illustrator.-Life and career:Cannon first published work was Johnny Cavalier, published by Grinnell College Press, which included 100 pages of weekly strips that originally ran in the Scarlet and Black. While attending Grinnell, Kevin was often asked if he...
.
Hegg wrote A Cup of Christmas Tea in 1981, when his pastor asked him to write something for his church's 125th anniversary. Drawing on childhood memories, he composed a straightforward, sentimental poem that brought tears to his audience's eyes. First published in 1982, it's been a seasonal best-seller ever since.
Hegg's subsequent books have included Mark of the Maker, which focuses on Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
, father of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
; Up to the Lake, a collection of poems focused around a family's trip to their vacation home, the "Peef" series of books about the adventures of a teddy bear
Teddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
, and To Nourish Any Flower: The Request Collection, which is a collection of poems he wrote and presented to family, friends, and students over the course of several years.
Since the early-1980s, Tom Hegg has taught drama at Breck School
Breck School
Breck School is an independent college-preparatory preK–12 school in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. It was founded in 1886 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he has received the honor of being named a Master Teacher. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers in the dramatic arts; probably the most famous of them is Marisa Coughlan. Eric Stolhanske, a member of the Broken Lizard Comedy group, was also a student, and starred alongside Coughlan. Charlie Korsmo
Charlie Korsmo
Charles Randolph "Charlie" Korsmo is an American former child actor turned lawyer and political activist.Korsmo was born in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of Deborah Ruf, an educational psychologist, and John Korsmo, a hospital administrator and chairman of the Federal Housing Finance Board...
also was a student of Hegg's, but this was after most of his films. Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
's son was enrolled at Breck and performed in at least one major Breck musical production directed by Hegg when McFerrin served as a Guest Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Emil Oberhoffer founded the orchestra as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, and it gave its first performance on November 5 of that year. In 1968 the orchestra changed to its name to the Minnesota Orchestra...
.