Thom Wall

Thom Wall (born February 9, 1987) is a juggler and variety entertainer from Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.[1] NPR has called him "one of the world's most notable jugglers."[2]

Thom Wall - Saint Louis Juggler - Performs at Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room - August 2013

Wall is known for his avant-garde performance style, cultivated through training at the New England Center for Circus Arts, lessons with mime Karen Montanaro, and training with long-time friend Curtis Carlyle. In 2009, Wall competed at the World Juggling Federation's "Winter Blitz" event. No judge had seen any of his creative five-ball tricks performed before, so his routine was deemed unscoreable. In 2017, the Smithsonian Institution called Thom an "elite practitioner of the craft of juggling."[3]

Thom is one of the last gentleman jugglers performing in the world today[4] - a performance style where relatable objects are manipulated in clever ways.[5] His work with mouthstick and balance have given him a notoriety in the circus world. In 2015, Dr. Salvador Calva Morales, chancellor of La Universidad Mesoamericana in Puebla, Mexico - home to Mexico's traditional circus school - was quoted as saying "...I dare say that [Thom] is the greatest balancer in the entire world."[6] In 2017, Smithsonian Magazine referred to Thom as "...an elite practitioner of the craft of juggling."[3]

In November 2017, Thom married fellow circus performer Chloe Somers,[7] who worked with Thom to revive and popularize the old circus discipline of "bottle walking" in the United States.[8][9] The two separated in 2019, when Somers signed a contract with The Seven Fingers.[10]

Thom left Cirque du Soleil's show Totem after its premiere at London's Royal Albert Hall in January, 2019, to pursue work on cruise ships.[11] He was quoted as saying "My time here has been amazing, but 1,500 shows is... yeah, that's enough for me. Maybe I'll come back, but it's not in my plans for the immediate future."[12] He worked for Cirque du Soleil as a headline act from 2014 through 2019.[13] Wall now lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he teaches Circus History at Circadium: School of Contemporary Circus.[14]

Career Highlights

In 2014, Thom competed at the International Jugglers' Association (IJA) Senior Stage Championships with a traditional mouthstick juggling act. This act was awarded the bronze medal, making it the first time the discipline has been awarded a competition medal in the championships' 67-year history.

Thom was hired by Cirque du Soleil in April 2014 (to replace juggler, Greg Kennedy) in their touring show Totem. He worked for the company in a temporary position, performing shows in America, Canada and New Zealand before being replaced by Chris Chiappini in September 2014. Thom was then rehired by Cirque in February 2016 as a last-minute replacement for the Japan tour[15] - this was possibly the fastest re-integration ever into an Cirque du Soleil show, as Thom was given eight hour's notice before catching a flight to Tokyo.[16] After the Japanese tour ended in the Summer of 2017, he signed a full- time contract with the company as their permanent juggling act.[4][17] He performed with the show through their European tour in 2019[4] before moving on to work for Royal Caribbean International as a guest entertainer, performing his own show on cruise ships.

In 2013, Thom was the first person to ever juggle six knives.[18] To date, he's the only person to accomplish this feat.

In 2014, Thom and Benjamin Domask debuted their new creation "The Dinner and a Show Show[19]" at the Kansas City Fringe Festival, where it received top honors.[20]

In 2015, Thom joined the Celebration Barn Theater's new performance ensemble in their creation of "Traveling Light."[21]

In 2017, Thom was the face of the American juggling tradition at the 50th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC, where he hosted panel discussions and performed a daily lecture and demonstration of the history of juggling.[17] The show he presented there, called On the Topic of Juggling has been referred to as "part stand up comedy, part TedX, and part juggling show." [22]

Thom Wall performs a "gentleman" juggling act.

Also in 2017, one of the glasses from Thom's mouthstick act was inducted into the Museum of Historical Juggling Props in Middletown, Ohio.[23] Museum curator, David Cain, reflected on the induction of this gentleman juggler's props by saying "Thom is one of the brightest stars in the juggling world. He has a wide array of skills but what he is known for few people (jugglers) do."[23]

In 2018, Drexel University named Thom one of their "40 under 40" - recognizing him as one of the university's most promising alumni thanks to his work in the circus arts and American nonprofit arts community.[24][25]

In 2019, his book Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages was published,[26] reaching #1 on Amazon's charts for Theater History & Criticism the day of release. Three months after the book's release, its eBook format was awarded "Best Nonfiction Book of 2019" by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.[27]

Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages

In 2019, Wall published the book Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages: the forgotten history of throwing and catching [26] with the imprint Modern Vaudeville Press. This book "...is an attempt to catalogue this tangible history of juggling in human culture. It is the story of juggling, represented in art and writing from around the world, across time," [28] filling a large gap in the literature surrounding circus arts, juggling, and theater. The book is a departure from his show and lecture at the Smithsonian Institution's annual Folklife Festival.[29]

Circus Report magazine called the book "the most important literature review to exist in the community of juggling," [30] a point which many other reviewers have echoed.[31][32][33] Three months after the book's release, its eBook edition was awarded "Best Nonfiction Book of 2019" by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.[27]

The Spanish translation was released in October, 2020 in both electronic and physical formats.[29][34]

Juggling: What It Is and How to Do It

Wall's second literary endeavor, Juggling: What It Is and How to Do It - A not-so-brief guide to the world's most underrated pastime, was published on August 31st, 2020 by Modern Vaudeville Press.[35] This book is an in-depth guide to juggling fundamentals, and has been called "one of the top ten instruction books ever written."[36] The book reached Amazon bestseller status before publication.[37]

Education

Wall attended Washington University in Saint Louis, where he earned a degree in Germanic Languages and Literatures.[38] He also speaks Spanish and Arabic,[39] and holds teaching credentials from Cambridge University.[4]

He also holds a master's degree in Nonprofit Arts Administration from Drexel University.[40] His thesis revolved around the branding of nonprofit circus organizations in the United States.[41]

Thom was a member of the 2012 Professional Development Program at the New England Center for Circus arts, where he trained juggling and hoop diving.[18]

Community Service

Wall served on the Board of Directors of the International Jugglers' Association between 2009 and 2013. During his tenure on the Board of Directors, he helped found the a new international competition format,[42] helped implement eJuggle, the IJA's electronic magazine,[43] and started the IJA's annual Video Tutorial Contest, which has brought hundreds of hours of high-quality, free-to-access juggling tutorials to the internet.[43]

Wall is widely credited by members of the juggling community with helping turn the International Jugglers' Association around - when he was first elected to the Board of Directors, the organization was in the middle of a public relations crisis on the usenet forum Rec.Juggling. His work with online educational programs, global outreach, and benefits to new members through the new online magazine has brought the 70-year-old organization many new members, much new respect, and financial solvency.

His work with the International Jugglers' Association inspired him to pursue a master's degree in Nonprofit Arts Administration through Drexel University.[44] In a 2012 interview, Thom's primary interests in arts administration were cited to be strategic planning, PR, and marketing.[45]

In 2020, Wall was made an MLA Field Bibliographer, helping the organization cultivate its inaugural Circus Arts bibliography.[46]

Wall has coached a number of notable jugglers throughout their careers, including Sam Malcolm, Benjamin Domask, and Tony Steinbach.

International Recognition

In 2014, Wall competed at the Zelta Karlis[47] circus festival in Riga, Latvia. He was presented with the "People's Choice" special prize, given to the act found "...most pleasurable to the Latvian people."[48]

In 2015, Wall was invited to perform at the 3rd annual Festival Universario de Circo, circus festival held at La Universidad Mesoamericana, which is home to the Mexico's traditional circus school, in Puebla, Mexico. At the culmination of the festival, he was presented with the Crotalus Scholaris Medal - the highest award the university offers.[49] Chancellor Salvador Calva Morales stated that the award was to "indelibly recognize Thomas Wall's work as a juggler."[49]

In 2017, Wall was invited to teach a fifteen-hour masterclass workshop at the Periplo International Circus Festival in Guadalajara, Mexico. He also debuted his new one-man show On the Topic of Juggling at the event.[50]

In 2019, Wall was invited to the Zelka circus festival in Lublin, Poland to present On the Topic of Juggling at the country's national juggling festival.[51]

Awards
  • Best Nonfiction Book of 2019 - Next Generation Indie Book Awards (ebook)[27]
  • 40 under 40 - Drexel University [52]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2018 (#30)[53]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2017 (#20)[54]
  • 1st place, three ring juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2017)[55]
  • 3rd place, three ball juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2017)[55]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2016 (#30)[56]
  • Crotalus Scholaris Medal - Universidad Mesoamericana (Puebla, Mexico)[57]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2015 (#31)[58]
  • People's Choice - Riga International Circus Festival (Riga, Latvia, 2015)[59]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2014 (#22)[60]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2013 (#27)[61]
  • 3rd place, World Juggling Championships (International Juggers' Association, 2014)[62]
  • Best of the Fringe, "the 'Dinner and a Show' Show" (Kansas City Fringe Festival 2014)[63]
  • Judy Finelli Award for "Most Inspirational Juggler of the Year" (Humboldt Circus, 2013)
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2012 (#23)[64]
  • 2nd place, World Juggling Championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2012)[65]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2011 (#31)[66]
  • 1st place, three ball juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2011)[67]
  • 2nd place, three-person team club passing with teammates Peter Kaseman and Doug Sayers (International Jugglers' Association, 2011)[67]
  • Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2010 (#24)[68]
  • 1st place, three ball juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2010)[69]
  • Winner, eXtreme Juggling competition, four ball category (International Jugglers' Association, 2010)[69]
  • 1st place, three-person team club passing with teammates Peter Kaseman and Doug Sayers (International Jugglers' Association, 2010)[69]
  • 2nd place, three-person team club passing with teammates Peter Kaseman and Alan Thompson (International Jugglers' Association, 2009)[70]
  • 1st place, three-person team club passing with teammates Alan Thompson and Carey Wagoner (International Jugglers' Association, 2008)[71]

References
  1. http://www.thomwall.com - Thom Wall's personal page
  2. "Monday: St. Louisan Thom Wall Is Teaching The World His Juggling Expertise". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  3. Insititution, Smithsonian. "The Juggling Genius of Paul Cinquevalli". Smithsonian Magazine. the Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  4. Lisenby, Ashley. "St. Louisan juggles his way into spot with Cirque du Soleil show". stltoday.com. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  5. "Meaning and expression in juggling". Object Episodes. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  6. Sabersinfin TV (November 26, 2015), Transmisión especial desde el 3er Festival Universitario de Circo (tercera parte), retrieved November 21, 2017
  7. "An acrobat, a juggler and a justice of the peace". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  8. "Brattleboro to Latvia: Circus artist to compete". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  9. "Shifting Gears in a Circus Career with Chloe Somers Wall - Props to That!". The Podcast App. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  10. "2019 in Review ⋆ Thom Wall". Thom Wall. January 7, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  11. "#13 Thom Wall, Professional Juggler & Cirque du Soleil Alum, Shares a Quote". Listen Notes. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  12. Pires, Nico (2018). "Crossed Paths - Thom Wall". YouTube. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  13. "2019 in Review ⋆ Thom Wall". Thom Wall. January 7, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  14. "2020 Tour ⋆ Thom Wall". Thom Wall. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d1wv2LnQ8w
  16. CirqueCast (September 27, 2017), Live Interview/Q&A with Acrobat David Resnick | Episode 22, retrieved November 21, 2017
  17. "New England Center for Circus Arts: Former coach inks contract with Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem'". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  18. "Thom Wall juggles it forward". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  19. "Dinner and a Show Show ⋆ Thom Wall". Thom Wall. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  20. "2017 Fringe Festival". Fringe Festival KC. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  21. "Barn launching 'Traveling Light' show". Sun Journal. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  22. Phelps, Joshua. "Thom Wall". Riverfront Times. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  23. ""Thom Wall prop inducted to Museum" - Brattleboro Reformer ⋆ Thom Wall". Thom Wall. September 19, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  24. "Drexel University 40 under 40! ⋆ Thom Wall". Thom Wall. April 20, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  25. April 6; Reply, 2018 Salvatore Marchesano. "40 under 40: Our Future is the Place They Make – Drexel Magazine". Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  26. Wall, Thom (March 15, 2019). Juggling - from Antiquity to the Middle Ages: The Forgotten History of Throwing and Catching. ISBN 0578410842.
  27. Awards, Next Generation Indie Book. "Next Generation Indie Book Awards". indiebookawards.com. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  28. "Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages | Thom Wall | 9780578410845 | NetGalley". www.netgalley.com. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  29. FM, Player. "Episode 7: A Juggling Act Chasers podcast". player.fm. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  30. "Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages". The Circus Report: 10. February 22. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. "MBR: MBR Bookwatch, February 2019". www.midwestbookreview.com. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  32. Wordsmith, The Haunted (December 16, 2018). "Juggling (review)". The Haunted Wordsmith. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  33. Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages.
  34. www.amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733971262?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860. Retrieved November 8, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. "How To – Modern Vaudeville Press". Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  36. "How To: Advance Reviews – Modern Vaudeville Press". Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  37. www.amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733971254?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860. Retrieved August 29, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. "Thom Wall juggles it forward". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  39. Holzman, Dan. "Drop Everything Podcast". IJA eZine.
  40. "Thom Wall Juggles - DrexelNow". DrexelNow. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  41. Lisenby, Ashley (May 31, 2017). "St. Louisan juggles his way into Cirque du Soleil". St Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  42. "IJA Programs - IRC." International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013.
  43. "eJuggle - Video Tutorial Contest 2013!" International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013.
  44. http://www.reformer.com/news/ci_25236042/thom-wall-juggles-it-forward-performer-who-credits
  45. http://www.drexel.edu/now/archive/2012/August/Thom-Wall-Juggles/
  46. "MLA Field Bibliographers". Modern Language Association. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  47. "::GOLDEN KARL". festivals.cirks.lv. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  48. "Brattleboro to Latvia: Circus artist to compete". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  49. "Juggling in Mexico: Brattleboro circus arts teacher recognized at festival". The Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  50. "Periplo Desarrollo Cultura AC". Periplo Desarrollo Cultura AC. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  51. "Lublin Juggling Convention 'ŻeLKa' – Sztukmistrze.pl". Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  52. Drexel Magazine (March 8, 2018), Winter/Spring 2018 (PDF), retrieved January 3, 2019
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  54. Luke Burrage (January 7, 2018), Luke reacts to the Top 40 Jugglers of 2017, retrieved January 7, 2018
  55. "IJA eNewsletter, July 2017 - IJA". www.juggle.org. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M22bYjTWJw0
  57. "." Brattleboro Reformer. Accessed July 23, 2016.
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  59. "." Brattleboro Reformer. Accessed February 3, 2015.
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  61. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lmHEHZNY5U
  62. "." St Louis Post Dispatch. Accessed July 23, 2016.
  63. "." Kansas City Fringe Festival. Accessed August 7, 2014.
  64. "Top 20 of 2012 - Part 3." Luke Burrage. Accessed August 22, 2013.
  65. "Championships Results - 65th IJA Summer Festival." International Jugglers' Association. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  66. "Top 40 Jugglers of 2011." Luke Burrage. Accessed August 22, 2013.
  67. "IJA Championships - 64th Annual IJA Summer Festival", International Jugglers' Association. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  68. "Top 40 Jugglers of 2010." Luke Burrage. Accessed August 22, 2013.
  69. "IJA Championships - 63rd IJA Summer Festival." International Jugglers' Association. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  70. "IJA Championships - 62nd IJA Summer Festival." International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013.
  71. "IJA Championships - 61st IJA Summer Festival." International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013.
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