Kellin Quinn Hentoff-Killian, 17, has grown up around the circus. Performing is second nature, practice is a priority and creativity is paramount. Kellin is one of the premier jugglers in the world, and his passion for his craft has been parlayed into great success and promising tricks for the future. 

Soon to be ranked among the top 40 jugglers in the world as voted by his peers, Kellin’s dedication and creativity was launched at an early age.   

“He grew up inside the City Museum, which is arguably the most creative place in St. Louis,” says Jessica Hentoff, Kellin’s mother director of Circus Harmony, a nonprofit social circus organization. 

Through Circus Harmony, Kellin developed a large repertoire of skills but soon zeroed in on juggling.

“Kellin has always been focused on juggling, ever since he was 2,” Hentoff says.

Shortly after, Kellin began to pick up performing techniques while closely observing other entertainers. He insisted on not performing anything until it was perfected, carefully honing his routine. 

“At 6 years old, he had developed a 15-minute show,” Hentoff says. “He auditioned, and we negotiated a price of $3.” 

This moment launched his love of performing, which Kellin constantly refines and advances. He enjoys sharing juggling with people, while piquing their interest in his creative acts. He even juggled at his bar mitzvah at Central Reform Congregation. 

“When I perform, I want to be as me as possible,” Kellin says. 

Kellin uses a variety of personas, costumes and characters to convey his art. His style revolves not only around the technical aspects of juggling, but also its presentation, individuality and feel. 

“For me, juggling isn’t about doing tricks that everyone has done,” he says. “I like inventing new tricks and making things up that people haven’t done before.”

Audiences are delighted by Kellin’s abstract and theatrical style. He moves with ease and incorporates humor and original tricks.  For the traditional circusgoer, he is a fresh face driving the art further. 

“He’s a visual and performing artist, using juggling as his medium,” Hentoff says.  “He sets the mood, develops the character and has a very strong performing persona.”

Kellin is home-schooled, allowing him to spend the majority of his time perfecting his craft when he is not working on academics. At the downtown City Museum, Kellin performs in six shows per week, juggling nearly everything. He also performs with St. Louis’ Circus Flora during the summer and with other shows and juggling festivals throughout the year. 

Kellin has won numerous awards, including the International Jugglers’ Association (IJA) 2012 junior gold medal, IJA 2013 bronze medal and IJA 2013 People’s Choice Award. In addition, Kellin will be named to a list of the top 40 jugglers, which is gradually being released via YouTube by Luke Burrage, a prominent juggler and entertainer. 

Kellin enjoys meeting people of different cultures and backgrounds while showcasing his talent and shaping circus culture. He has traveled to Israel to participate in a collaboration between the Galilee Circus, a Jewish/Arab youth circus from Israel, and Circus Harmony. 

In any other sport, Kellin says, he probably would meet only people from the same school or who play that sport.  In the circus, it doesn’t matter where people come from; only one’s abilities and interests matter. 

“The circus is something I’ve grown up doing,” Kellin said. “It’s personal and real, with the audience living the action in the ring with you.”

Kellin performs in six shows each week at the City Museum, 750 N 16th Street in St. Louis.