Caisey Kreg

Caisey Kreg - Pennsylvania
Nomination by Megan Huges
Photography by April Ohl Photography
Issue 79 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

​Nomination: Caisey is the kindest person I know. She comes to school everyday with a smile on her face always making my day. Caisey is transgender and she doesn’t let that stop her from doing anything. She advocates for herself and her classmates and has never failed to make anyone feel less than perfect. Caisey has always helped others to see past what makes them different and find what makes them alike. She is truly inspiring.

Images by mother and sister

What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I have been an activist for children and parents who have children that feel that they may be transgender. This includes participating in panels for people to attend to learn more along with reaching out to local LGBTQ+ organizations to provide resources at my school for other students. I also have done multiple environmental justice studies and work in my community.

How did you get started in participating in panels and what did you do to prepare?
I started doing panels at my church. The first panel I did was for the western Pennsylvania Unitarian Universalist group meeting. this meeting was held at my church called Sunnyhill. I was very nervous about participating in my first panel, but I overcame that fear by having my mom prepare mock questions to ask me so that I was ready for any and all questions I was asked.

What did you learn about yourself in the process?
In the process of doing my first panel, I realized that it was hard for me talking about being transgender. For a long time I didn’t tell anyone that I was trans and I kept it a secret. at the panel, I got emotional talking about what it was like growing up because it was scary. Doing this first panel prepared me for other panels I would do and it prepared me to become public about my transition.

What do you wish people knew about transgender teens?
I wish people knew that we are normal people just like anyone else. Another thing I would like people to know is that it’s OK to ask questions there aren’t many transgender people who are young, Asking questions is a normal thing for people to do. However, sometimes people are scared to ask questions because they don’t know if it’s appropriate or not. if someone is scared to ask a question, I tell them, “Would you ask your mom this at a family dinner?” if the answer is no, the question is probably not appropriate.

Tell us about the environmental justice studies you have done and how you participate.
My youth group at my church has been studying environmental justice for the past year. Some of the things we do to study is, having professionals who work with environmental justice studies come and talk to us in a panel. Another thing we do is take field trips to environmentally friendly and environmentally adapted places around Western PA.

What has been the most interesting one and why?
The most interesting thing I have done is study the effects of fracking on water. My youth group took a trip to a water center in upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, and there we saw the effects of fracking on water and the environment along with filtered water and the environment.
The center was split into two so first we looked at the filtered section then we went to the polluted section. I enjoy this because it was an outdoor experience where I got to see many rare things that many people would normally see. One thing I saw was a beaver building a dam because its family was being affected by the polluted water, so it stopped the flow of the water.

What else would you like to talk about?
I would like to talk about what it’s like growing up as a transgender teen, along with what challenges I faced coming out so early. I came out at the age of 7. It had taken me a while to understand the feeling I was having. I want to grow others understanding of what children like that may feel.

Tell us about this experience.
Growing up transgender was very scary. I remember the day I came out to my parents and was so nervous that they wouldn’t accept me for who I was. However, I was very lucky for them to support me fully. I came out in the summer of 2017. when I came out, I didn’t transition right away. I started slowly by growing up my hair and dressing in more feminine clothing. By October 2017 my mom bought me a purple wig from costume shop and I wore to school. I felt so pretty and feminine having long hair. I remember this experience and I love my parents for supporting me.

What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
I feel very passionate about musical theater. Ever since I was little I have been participating in musical theater. It helped me express who I was on stage without any judgement whatsoever. When I’m playing a character I feel like I can escape all my troubles and become the character I am playing.

What has been your favorite production you've participated in and why?
My favorite production I have done was the show “And the World Goes Round” at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center. my role in the show was a swing. A swing is someone who is ready to step in for anybody who is out or sick. I learned the parts of everybody in the show, And I was able to perform them just as well as if I were in the show. On the day promotional pictures are being taken. I got to fill-in for one of the leading rules. It was a very exciting moment for me in my musical theater career, because I was able to showcase my abilities, improve to my director that I knew what I was doing.

What parts have you played and how have they suited you?
One part I played that I think did me very well was Violet Beauregard in Willy Wonka Junior. I relate to Violet a lot because I love chewing gum, and I love being sassy. I was able to really connect with the role and perform it to my best ability because I loved Willy Wonka growing up and Violet had always been my favorite character.

What is the most challenging thing about being in musical theater vs most rewarding?
The most challenging part about musical theater for me is auditioning for shows. When I audition for a show I’m so nervous and I get full of anxiety and fear. for me, the most rewarding part is finding out you got cast in a show. it’s very scary auditioning and when you put your heart and soul into your audition and you don’t get in, it’s really hurtful. However, when you audition and you do your best and you get into a show, it’s the most rewarding feeling in the world because it feels like all the work that you put in was paid off.

If you could play any character on Broadway, who would it be/what play and why?
If I could play any role on Broadway, I would want to play little red riding hood in Into the Woods. Into the woods has always been my favorite show and I’ve always wanted to play little red. Her song and into the Woods is very exciting and very vocally challenging. If I was to play this role, I would be forever grateful.

How did you find your photographer, April Ohl Photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
I found out about my photographer through my friends at school. She has an ambassador team who help her with promotions for her brand. I had a few friends on the team and their pictures always turned out amazing. I then followed her on instagram and interacted with her account for a while. One day she posted a giveaway for a free shoot so I entered, and to my surprise I won! April was an amazing person and she was so professional, while also being able to maintain a fun and supportive environment.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
if I had nothing to do all day, you would probably find me in my room. I like being surrounded by the people I love, but sometimes it’s good to have a break. When I have nothing to do, I like to sit in my room and go through my audition songs. another thing I like to do is stretch. Stretching is a big part of Dance because if you aren’t flexible it can be hard to do some moves.

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
The next project that I will be participating in is the ballet Don Quixote. I will be dancing the rules of Cupid and Townsgirl. I am very excited to do the show because I’ve never been in a ballet before. I started taking ballet last year in January and I’ve worked very hard to improve my skill and now I’m going to be in my first ever ballet.
I don’t think I have been more excited to produce a show than I have for this one.

Look for Caisey in issue 79 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!
*Interviews are not edited after received from our inspiring teens - what you read is who they genuinely are!

click here for more information on issue 79

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

---

Photography by April Ohl Photography