Thom Wall, a Germantown resident and internationally touring juggler, has been named the recipient of the American Youth Circus Organization / American Circus Educator (AYCO/ACE)'s "Innovation in Education" award for 2024. The award recognizes Wall's significant contributions to circus education through his publishing company, Modern Vaudeville Press (MVP).

Wall, who holds a graduate degree in Nonprofit Arts Administration from Drexel University, has made a name for himself not only as a performer, but also as a publisher and advocate for circus arts education. His company, MVP, has produced more than 20 titles since its inception in 2018, with four books being used as course materials in professional circus schools worldwide and two serving as textbooks in major university systems.

The company's publications have gained recognition for their academic rigor, with over half of their titles cited in graduate dissertations across three continents. Wall's book, "Juggling: What It Is and How to Do It," has become an Amazon bestseller.

MVP's impact extends beyond academia. The company donates a free "learn to juggle" kit to community programs for every book sold, distributing thousands of kits across Philadelphia and globally. This initiative, combined with the company's commitment to paying authors royalties triple the industry average, showcases Wall's dedication to education and fair compensation in the arts.

Dr. Jen Agans, a board member involved in Wall's selection for the award, praised his efforts, stating, "Modern Vaudeville Press is creating access to so much more knowledge about circus... he's exponentially advancing circus education, and doing it through books – a medium that just isn't where most circus education happens these days."

The award will be presented at the 2024 AYCO Educator's Conference in Dallas, Texas on October 19th, 2024, recognizing Wall's innovative approach to preserving and advancing circus arts education.