08/26/2026
🎉 20 Under 40 Spotlight: Cassie Hermes
Meet Cassie Hermes, one of Topeka’s 20 Under 40 honorees!
Cassie is the Education Director at Topeka Civic Theatre, where she leads youth productions, classes and summer camps through the TCT Academy. From directing casts to developing young performers and leading camp staff, her work is about much more than putting on a great show—it’s about helping young people discover creativity, confidence and a sense of community.
🎠Building confidence through the arts:
For nearly a decade, Cassie has helped create theatre experiences that bring together students from school districts across the area. Those students learn to perform, but they also learn how to communicate, collaborate and build friendships with people whose experiences may be different from their own. Many have gone on to continue studying theatre and theatre education.
❤️ Giving back:
Cassie works to make the TCT Academy a welcoming place where young people feel supported and included. The Academy also encourages students to give back beyond the stage, from collecting hygiene products for Doorstep to making cards for Helping Hands Humane Society and participating in other community activities.
🌟 What leadership means to Cassie:
Cassie’s motto is simple: “kindness begets kindness.” She believes leadership means meeting young people where they are, recognizing their individual strengths and giving them opportunities to succeed. Even when the pandemic closed theatres across the country, Cassie found creative ways to keep students learning, performing and—most importantly—connected to one another.
Through theatre, education and mentorship, Cassie is helping develop a generation of Topeka kids who know how to create, collaborate, support one another and confidently share their talents with the world.
👏 Congratulations, Cassie, on being recognized as one of Topeka’s 20 Under 40!