Thom Wall
{{short description|American juggler}}
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File:Thom Wall - Saint Louis Juggler - Performs at Blueberry Hill - The Duck Room - August 2013.jpg
Thom Wall (born February 9, 1987) is an American juggler and variety entertainer from Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.http://www.thomwall.com - Thom Wall's personal page{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title=Thom Wall juggles performing with publishing company |url=https://www.centralmaine.com/2023/01/11/thom-wall-juggles-performing-with-publishing-company/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel}} NPR has called him "one of the world's most notable jugglers."{{Cite web|title=Monday: St. Louisan Thom Wall Is Teaching The World His Juggling Expertise|url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2020-08-28/monday-st-louisan-thom-wall-is-teaching-the-world-his-juggling-expertise|access-date=2020-08-29|website=St. Louis Public Radio|language=en}}
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."{{cite web|last1=Institution|first1=Smithsonian|title=The Juggling Genius of Paul Cinquevalli|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/juggling-genius-paul-cinquevalli-180964874/|website=Smithsonian Magazine|publisher=the Smithsonian Institution|access-date=28 September 2017}}
Thom is one of the last gentleman jugglers performing in the world today - a performance style where relatable objects are manipulated in clever ways.{{Cite web|url=http://objectepisodes.com/t/meaning-and-expression-in-juggling/357|title=Meaning and expression in juggling|website=Object Episodes|language=en|access-date=2017-11-21}} His work with mouthstick and balance have given him a notoriety in the circus world, often being referred to as "one of the world's top jugglers".{{Cite web |title=Thom Wall – Vaudeville Sensation – WERU Community Radio |url=https://weru.org/events/thom-wall-vaudeville-sensation/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=weru.org}} 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."{{Citation|last=Sabersinfin TV|title=Transmisión especial desde el 3er Festival Universitario de Circo (tercera parte)|date=2015-11-26|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sYmP-pBXpo|access-date=2017-11-21}} In 2017, Smithsonian Magazine referred to Thom as "...an elite practitioner of the craft of juggling." NPR has called Wall "...one of the world's most notable jugglers."{{Cite web|title=Want To Juggle? St. Louisan Thom Wall Says It's About 'Cultivating A Relationship'|url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2020-08-31/st-louisan-thom-wall-is-teaching-the-world-his-juggling-expertise|access-date=2021-08-20|website=St. Louis Public Radio|language=en}}
In November 2017, Thom married fellow circus performer Chloe Somers,{{Cite news|url=http://reformer.com/stories/an-acrobat-a-juggler-and-a-justice-of-the-peace,525037|title=An acrobat, a juggler and a justice of the peace|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|access-date=2017-11-21|language=en}} who worked with Thom to revive and popularize the old circus discipline of "bottle walking" in the United States.{{Cite news|url=http://www.reformer.com/stories/brattleboro-to-latvia-circus-artist-to-compete,154521|title=Brattleboro to Latvia: Circus artist to compete|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|access-date=2017-11-21|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Shifting Gears in a Circus Career with Chloe Somers Wall - Props to That!|url=https://podcast.app/shifting-gears-in-a-circus-career-with-chloe-somers-wall-e58990650/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=The Podcast App|language=en}} The two separated in 2019, when Somers signed a contract with The Seven Fingers.{{Cite web|url=https://thomwall.com/2019-in-review/|title=2019 in Review ⋆ Thom Wall|date=2020-01-07|website=Thom Wall|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-08}}
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.{{Cite web|title=#13 Thom Wall, Professional Juggler & Cirque du Soleil Alum, Shares a Quote|url=https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/notes-on-quotes/13-thom-wall-professional-ta5BxENf2ug/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=Listen Notes|date=March 30, 2020 |language=en}} 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."{{Cite web|last=Pires|first=Nico|date=2018|title=Crossed Paths - Thom Wall|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szSd8sWvrXw|access-date=2020-09-18|website=YouTube}} He worked for Cirque du Soleil as a headline act from 2014 through 2019.{{Cite web|date=2020-01-07|title=2019 in Review ⋆ Thom Wall|url=https://thomwall.com/2019-in-review/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Thom Wall|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Raj '24 |first=Laya |date=2023-10-02 |title=Thom Wall Juggles It All At the PMAC |url=https://thechoatenews.choate.edu/2023/10/02/thom-wall-juggles-it-all-at-the-pmac/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=The Choate News |language=en-US}} Wall now lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he teaches Circus History and Career Planning at Circadium: School of Contemporary Circus.{{Cite web|title=2020 Tour ⋆ Thom Wall|url=https://thomwall.com/2020-tour/|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Thom Wall|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-05|title=A juggling act {{!}} The Source {{!}} Washington University in St. Louis|url=https://source.wustl.edu/2021/08/a-juggling-act/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=The Source|language=en-US}}
In the fall of 2021, Wall joined Cirque Mechanics' revamp of their flagship show Birdhouse Factory.{{Cite web|title=Team|url=https://www.cirquemechanics.com/birdhouse-factory-theater-show/cast/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Cirque Mechanics|language=en}}
In 2022, Thom returned to working as a headline entertainer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.{{Citation |title=Thom Wall - Royal Caribbean - Adventure, Jewel, Liberty, & Independence of the Seas - 2022 | date=December 18, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlTgDEKmfEI |language=en |access-date=2023-01-16}}
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[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d1wv2LnQ8w Sunday Funday At Cirque Du Soleil – Youtube] - this was possibly the fastest re-integration ever into a Cirque du Soleil show, as Thom was given eight hour's notice before catching a flight to Tokyo.{{Citation|last=CirqueCast|title=Live Interview/Q&A with Acrobat David Resnick {{!}} Episode 22|date=2017-09-27|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHvlV-5S6ng|access-date=2017-11-21}} After the Japanese tour ended in the summer of 2017, he signed a full- time contract with the company as their permanent juggling act.{{Cite news|url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/st-louisan-juggles-his-way-into-spot-with-cirque-du/article_4d8740ed-5903-575e-a2c0-c1fce93fd119.html|title=St. Louisan juggles his way into spot with Cirque du Soleil show|last=Lisenby|first=Ashley|work=stltoday.com|access-date=June 20, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.reformer.com/stories/new-england-center-for-circus-arts-former-coach-inks-contract-with-cirque-du-soleils-totem,510048|title=New England Center for Circus Arts: Former coach inks contract with Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem'|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|access-date=June 20, 2017}} He performed with the show through their European tour in 2019 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.reformer.com/stories/thom-wall-juggles-it-forward,357408|title=Thom Wall juggles it forward|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|access-date=June 20, 2017}}
In 2014, Thom and Benjamin Domask debuted their new creation "The Dinner and a Show Show{{Cite news|url=http://www.dinnerandashowshow.com|title=Dinner and a Show Show ⋆ Thom Wall|work=Thom Wall|access-date=March 11, 2017}}" at the Kansas City Fringe Festival, where it received top honors.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kcfringe.org|title=2017 Fringe Festival|website=Fringe Festival KC|access-date=March 11, 2017}}
In 2015, Thom joined the Celebration Barn Theater's new performance ensemble in their creation of "Traveling Light."{{Cite news|url=http://www.sunjournal.com/news/encore/2015/09/10/barn-launching-traveling-light-show/1778772|title=Barn launching 'Traveling Light' show|work=Sun Journal|access-date=March 11, 2017}}{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}
In 2017, Thom was the face of the American juggling tradition at the 50th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., where he hosted panel discussions and performed a daily lecture and demonstration of the history of juggling. 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."{{Cite web|url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/thom-wall/Event?oid=31742241|title=Thom Wall|last=Phelps|first=Joshua|website=Riverfront Times|language=en|access-date=2019-06-13}}
File:Gentleman Juggler, Thom Wall.jpg
Also in 2017, one of the glasses from Thom's mouthstick act was inducted into the Museum of Historical Juggling Props in Middletown, Ohio.{{Cite news|url=http://thomwall.com/thom-wall-prop-inducted-museum-brattleboro-reformer/|title="Thom Wall prop inducted to Museum" - Brattleboro Reformer ⋆ Thom Wall|date=2017-09-19|work=Thom Wall|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-US}} 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."
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.{{Cite web |url=http://thomwall.com/drexel-university-40-40/ |title=Drexel University 40 under 40! ⋆ Thom Wall|date=2018-04-20 |website=Thom Wall |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-14}}{{Cite web |url=https://drexelmagazine.org/2018/40-under-40-winter-spring-18/ |title=40 under 40: Our Future is the Place They Make – Drexel Magazine |last1=April 6 |last2=Reply |first2=2018 Salvatore Marchesano |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-14}}
In 2019, his book Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages was published,{{Cite book |isbn=978-0578410845 |title=Juggling - from Antiquity to the Middle Ages: The Forgotten History of Throwing and Catching |last1=Wall |first1=Thom |date=March 15, 2019|publisher=Modern Vaudeville Press }} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://indiebookawards.com/ |title=Next Generation Indie Book Awards |last=Awards |first=Next Generation Indie Book |website=indiebookawards.com |language=en |access-date=2019-05-21}}
In 2021, Wall joined the Board of Directors of the Celebration Barn Theater, one of the premier physical comedy schools in the world.{{Cite web |url=http://celebrationbarn.com/faculty/thom-wall/ |title=Thom Wall |access-date=2021-08-07 |website=Celebration Barn Theater}}
In 2021, Wall was awarded the International Jugglers' Association's "Excellence in Education Award". Thom was the 18th honoree with this title in the organization's 74-year history, and the youngest to receive this lifetime achievement honor.{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Kim |title=Announcing The International Juggling Association Award Honorees of 2021 |url=https://circustalk.com/news/the-international-juggling-association-presented-7-honorary-awards/ |access-date=2021-08-26 |website=CircusTalk |date=August 6, 2021 |language=en-US}}
In 2022, Wall was named a "distinguished alumni" from his high school, Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St Louis, Missouri, for his work in the performing arts, alongside internationally renowned pianist Ingrid Jacoby.{{Cite web |title=Distinguished Alumni – Ladue Schools |url=https://alumni.ladueschools.net/distinguished-alumni/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=alumni.ladueschools.net}}
In 2024, Wall was awarded the American Youth Circus Organization / American Circus Educators (AYCO/ACE) "Innovation in Education" award for "exponentially advancing circus education" through his publishing efforts.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-19 |title=Local juggler honored for circus education innovation |url=https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/local-juggler-honored-for-circus-education-innovation,33656 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=The Chestnut Hill Local |language=en}}
''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 with the imprint [http://www.modernvaudevillepress.com 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," {{Cite book|url=https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/155278|title=Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages {{!}} Thom Wall {{!}} 9780578410845 {{!}} NetGalley|website=www.netgalley.com|access-date=2019-03-10}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://player.fm/series/chasers-2406826/episode-7-vf|title=Episode 7: A Juggling Act Chasers podcast|last=FM|first=Player|website=player.fm|date=February 28, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-10}} The book is currently used as a course material in anthropology classes at a number of universities in the USA.
Circus Report magazine called the book "the most important literature review to exist in the community of juggling,"{{Cite journal|date=February 22, 2019|title=Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages|url=http://www.thecircusreport.com/home.html|journal=The Circus Report|pages=10|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=September 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918152610/http://www.thecircusreport.com/home.html|url-status=dead}} a point which many other reviewers have echoed.{{Cite web|url=http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/feb_19.htm|title=MBR: MBR Bookwatch, February 2019|website=www.midwestbookreview.com|access-date=2019-03-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://thehauntedwordsmith.wordpress.com/2018/12/16/juggling-review/|title=Juggling (review)|last=Wordsmith|first=The Haunted|date=2018-12-16|website=The Haunted Wordsmith|language=en|access-date=2019-03-10}}{{Cite book|url=https://www.booktopia.com.au/juggling-from-antiquity-to-the-middle-ages-thom-wall/prod9780578410845.html|title=Juggling - From Antiquity to the Middle Ages}} Three months after the book's release, its eBook edition was awarded "Best Nonfiction Book of 2019" by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
The Spanish translation was released in October, 2020 in both electronic and physical formats.{{Cite book|isbn=978-1733971263|title=Malabares - desde la Antigüedad hasta la Edad Media: La historia olvidada de lanzar y cachar|last1=Wall|first1=Thom|date=October 31, 2020|publisher=Modern Vaudeville Press }}
''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 31, 2020, by Modern Vaudeville Press.{{Cite web|title=How To – Modern Vaudeville Press|url=https://thomwall.com/mvp/how-to/|access-date=2020-08-29|language=en-US}} This book is an in-depth guide to juggling fundamentals, and has been called "one of the top ten instruction books ever written."{{Cite web|title=How To: Advance Reviews – Modern Vaudeville Press|url=https://thomwall.com/mvp/how-to-advance-reviews/|access-date=2020-08-29|language=en-US}} The book reached Amazon bestseller status before publication.{{Cite book|isbn=978-1733971256|title=Juggling: What It is and How to do It|last1=Wall|first1=Thom|date=August 31, 2020|publisher=Modern Vaudeville Press }} It was also a finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards "Novelty and Gift" category.{{Cite web|last=Awards|first=Next Generation Indie Book|title=Next Generation Indie Book Awards|url=http://indiebookawards.com/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=indiebookawards.com|language=en}} The title is currently being used as a course text in occupational therapy programs across the USA.
Education
Wall attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a degree in Germanic Languages and Literatures under Herr Dr. Paul Michael Lützeler.{{Cite news|url=http://www.reformer.com/stories/thom-wall-juggles-it-forward,357408|title=Thom Wall juggles it forward|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|access-date=March 11, 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Literatures |first=Department of Germanic Languages and |date=2021-08-16 |title=2009 Alum, Thom Wall, featured in Washington Magazine |url=https://german.wustl.edu/news/2009-alum-thom-wall-featured-washington-magazine |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures |language=en}} He was drawn to Washington University due to its "robust language offerings"{{Cite web|date=2021-04-05|title=A juggling act {{!}} The Source {{!}} Washington University in St. Louis|url=https://source.wustl.edu/2021/04/a-juggling-act/|access-date=2021-08-26|website=The Source|language=en-US}} across a variety of linguistic families. In his time there, he studied Spanish, Portuguese, German, Arabic, ESL, and illustration and design. He speaks Spanish and Arabic and has taught workshops in both languages,{{Cite web|url=http://ezine.juggle.org/2016/01/23/thom-wall-on-drop-everything-podcast-with-host-dan-holzman/|title=Drop Everything Podcast|last=Holzman|first=Dan|website=IJA eZine|date=January 23, 2016}} and holds teaching credentials from Cambridge University.
He also holds a master's degree in Nonprofit Arts Administration from Drexel University.{{Cite news|url=http://drexel.edu/now/archive/2012/August/Thom-Wall-Juggles/|title=Thom Wall Juggles - DrexelNow|work=DrexelNow|access-date=March 11, 2017}} His thesis revolved around the branding of nonprofit circus organizations in the United States.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/st-louisan-juggles-his-way-into-spot-with-cirque-du/article_4d8740ed-5903-575e-a2c0-c1fce93fd119.html|title=St. Louisan juggles his way into Cirque du Soleil|last=Lisenby|first=Ashley|date=May 31, 2017|website=St Louis Post Dispatch|access-date=June 20, 2017}}
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.
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,"[http://www.juggle.org/ija/programs/irc/ IJA Programs - IRC.]" International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013. helped implement eJuggle, the IJA's electronic magazine,"[http://ezine.juggle.org/2013/02/16/video-tutorial-contest-2013/ eJuggle - Video Tutorial Contest 2013!]" International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013. 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.
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.reformer.com/news/ci_25236042/thom-wall-juggles-it-forward-performer-who-credits |title=Thom Wall juggles it forward - Brattleboro Reformer |website=www.reformer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216015515/http://www.reformer.com/news/ci_25236042/thom-wall-juggles-it-forward-performer-who-credits |archive-date=2014-12-16}} In a 2012 interview, Thom's primary interests in arts administration were cited to be strategic planning, PR, and marketing.[http://www.drexel.edu/now/archive/2012/August/Thom-Wall-Juggles/ Thom Wall Juggles | Now | Drexel University]
In 2020, Wall was made an MLA Field Bibliographer, helping the organization cultivate its inaugural Circus Arts bibliography.{{Cite web|title=MLA Field Bibliographers|url=https://www.mla.org/Publications/MLA-International-Bibliography/About-the-MLA-International-Bibliography/MLA-Field-Bibliographers|access-date=2020-08-29|website=Modern Language Association|language=en}}
Wall has coached a number of notable jugglers throughout their careers, including Sam Malcolm, Benjamin Domask, and Tony Steinbach.
In 2021, Wall was awarded the "Excellence in Education" award by the International Jugglers' Association.{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Kim|title=Announcing The International Juggling Association Award Honorees of 2021|url=https://circustalk.com/news/the-international-juggling-association-presented-7-honorary-awards/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=CircusTalk|date=August 6, 2021 |language=en-US}} The occasion was recognized by the state of Pennsylvania, with senators Bob Casey (D) and Patrick Toomey (R) raising the US flag over the Capitol Building to mark the honor on different days.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-07|title=Flags Flown over the US Capitol... in Honor of Juggling! ⋆ Thom Wall|url=https://thomwall.com/4224-2/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=Thom Wall|language=en-US}} Senator Bob Casey was recorded explaining his decision: "[We raised the flag] to honor Thomas Wall - an academic and circus performer who works to preserve American Performing Arts history. This [award] is a lifetime achievement."{{Cite web|last=Wall|first=Thom|date=2021-08-07|title=Image|url=https://thomwall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Flag2.jpg|access-date=2021-08-07|website=Thom Wall {{!}} Blog}} Wall was the 28th person to receive the accolade since the organization's inception in 1947.{{Cite web|title=Honorary Awards · IJA|url=https://www.juggle.org/history/honorary-awards/|access-date=2021-08-07|website=IJA|language=en-US}}
When asked about his work with Modern Vaudeville Press, Wall states "I'm just grateful to preserve people's life's work." He also makes a point of donating books whenever he performs shows for schools and other community-driven organizations.
Wall has been a member of the board of directors of the Celebration Barn Theater since 2021.{{Cite web |title=People |url=https://celebrationbarn.com/people/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=Celebration Barn |language=en-US}}
International Recognition
In 2014, Wall competed at the Zelta Karlis{{Cite web|url=http://festivals.cirks.lv/|title=::GOLDEN KARL|website=festivals.cirks.lv|access-date=March 11, 2017}} 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."{{Cite news|url=http://www.reformer.com/stories/brattleboro-to-latvia-circus-artist-to-compete,154521|title=Brattleboro to Latvia: Circus artist to compete|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|access-date=March 11, 2017}}
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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.reformer.com/stories/juggling-in-mexico-brattleboro-circus-arts-teacher-recognized-at-festival,296190|title=Juggling in Mexico: Brattleboro circus arts teacher recognized at festival|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|access-date=March 11, 2017}} Chancellor Salvador Calva Morales stated that the award was to "indelibly recognize Thomas Wall's work as a juggler."
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.elperiplo.com|title=Periplo Desarrollo Cultura AC|website=Periplo Desarrollo Cultura AC|access-date=March 11, 2017}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://sztukmistrze.pl/en/projekty/lublin-juggling-convention-zelka/|title=Lublin Juggling Convention 'ŻeLKa' – Sztukmistrze.pl|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-06-13}}
In 2021, Wall was awarded the "Excellence in Education" award by the International Jugglers' Association.{{Cite web |title=IJA eNewsletter – August 2021 |url=https://www.juggle.org/enewsletter/2021-08 |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=IJA |date=August 31, 2021 |language=en-US}}
In 2024, Wall was awarded the "Innovation in Education" award by the American Youth Circus Organization / American Circus Educators.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-19 |title=Local juggler honored for circus education innovation |url=https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/local-juggler-honored-for-circus-education-innovation,33656 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=The Chestnut Hill Local |language=en}}
Awards
- "Innovation in Education" - American Youth Circus Organization / American Circus Educators - 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-19 |title=Local juggler honored for circus education innovation |url=https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/stories/local-juggler-honored-for-circus-education-innovation,33656 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=The Chestnut Hill Local |language=en}}
- "Distinguished Alumni" - Ladue Horton Watkins High School - 2022.
- "Excellence in Education" award - International Jugglers' Association
- Best Nonfiction Book of 2019 - Next Generation Indie Book Awards (ebook)
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2019 (#26)
- 40 under 40 - Drexel University {{Citation|last=Drexel Magazine|title=Winter/Spring 2018|date=2018-03-08|url=https://drexelmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/PDF/drexel-magazine-winter-spring-18.pdf|access-date=2019-01-03}}
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2018 (#30){{Citation|last=Luke Burrage|title=Top 40 Jugglers of 2018 Results|date=2019-03-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-f_uHwGNh8|access-date=2019-01-03}}
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2017 (#20){{Citation|last=Luke Burrage|title=Luke reacts to the Top 40 Jugglers of 2017|date=2018-01-07|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSXrlGvFnng|access-date=2018-01-07}}
- 1st place, three ring juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2017){{Cite web|url=https://www.juggle.org/enewsletter/2017-07|title=IJA eNewsletter, July 2017 - IJA|website=www.juggle.org|date=July 31, 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-20}}
- 3rd place, three ball juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2017)
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2016 (#30)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M22bYjTWJw0 Top 40 Jugglers of 2016 - T40J16 E.P. - YouTube]
- Crotalus Scholaris Medal - Universidad Mesoamericana (Puebla, Mexico)"[http://www.reformer.com/ci_29194602/juggling-mexico-brattleboro-circus-arts-teacher-recognized-at]." Brattleboro Reformer. Accessed July 23, 2016.
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2015 (#31)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEZiK3vYUus Top 40 Jugglers of 2015 – YouTube]
- People's Choice - Riga International Circus Festival (Riga, Latvia, 2015)"[http://www.reformer.com/ovation/ci_27428484/necca-contestants-win-awards-latvia]." Brattleboro Reformer. Accessed February 3, 2015.
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2014 (#22)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24eM7XE69wc Top 40 Jugglers of 2014 – Part 2 – Sounds and Pictures – YouTube]
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2013 (#27)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lmHEHZNY5U Top 40 Jugglers of 2013 with director's commentary - YouTube]
- 3rd place, World Juggling Championships (International Juggers' Association, 2014)"[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148516670/]." St Louis Post Dispatch. Accessed July 23, 2016.
- Best of the Fringe, "the 'Dinner and a Show' Show" (Kansas City Fringe Festival 2014)"[http://www.kcfringe.org/#]." Kansas City Fringe Festival. Accessed August 7, 2014.
- Judy Finelli Award for "Most Inspirational Juggler of the Year" (Humboldt Circus, 2013)
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2012 (#23)"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcZlIuzUpM8&list=PLedkVkRnas-pATFCr0O_lz1-bz1_h_Kcn Top 20 of 2012 - Part 3]." Luke Burrage. Accessed August 22, 2013.
- 2nd place, World Juggling Championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2012)"[http://www.juggle.org/ija/championships/2012-winston-salem-nc/ Championships Results - 65th IJA Summer Festival]." International Jugglers' Association. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2011 (#31)"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSw-6e5gy0k Top 40 Jugglers of 2011.]" Luke Burrage. Accessed August 22, 2013.
- 1st place, three ball juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2011)"[http://www.juggle.org/ija/championships/2011-rochester-mn/ IJA Championships - 64th Annual IJA Summer Festival]", International Jugglers' Association. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
- 2nd place, three-person team club passing with teammates Peter Kaseman and Doug Sayers (International Jugglers' Association, 2011)
- Top 40 Jugglers of the Year 2010 (#24)"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd1-wqvTplw Top 40 Jugglers of 2010]." Luke Burrage. Accessed August 22, 2013.
- 1st place, three ball juggling world championships (International Jugglers' Association, 2010)"[http://www.juggle.org/ija/championships/2010-sparks-nv/ IJA Championships - 63rd IJA Summer Festival.]" International Jugglers' Association. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
- Winner, eXtreme Juggling competition, four ball category (International Jugglers' Association, 2010)
- 1st place, three-person team club passing with teammates Peter Kaseman and Doug Sayers (International Jugglers' Association, 2010)
- 2nd place, three-person team club passing with teammates Peter Kaseman and Alan Thompson (International Jugglers' Association, 2009)"[http://www.juggle.org/ija/championships/2009-winston-salem-nc/ IJA Championships - 62nd IJA Summer Festival.]" International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013.
- 1st place, three-person team club passing with teammates Alan Thompson and Carey Wagoner (International Jugglers' Association, 2008)"[http://www.juggle.org/ija/championships/2008-lexington-ky/ IJA Championships - 61st IJA Summer Festival]." International Jugglers' Association. Accessed August 22, 2013.