In the visual arts, theatre, music, and dance departments of LRHS, creativity is part of the daily routine. Whether practicing choreography after school, rehearsing lines on stage, or perfecting a painting in the classroom, performing and visual arts students at Leesville are laying the groundwork for careers in the arts. 

As seniors finalize college applications and auditions, many are turning their focus to what’s next, hoping to turn the passions they developed in high school studios and on stage into lifelong careers in the arts. In the graduating class of 2026, several ambitious seniors are preparing to pursue degrees and professional opportunities in the arts after graduation. 

Camryn Bugaj

Camryn Bugaj is a senior involved in the theatre department and band at LRHS. Bugaj is hoping to pursue a career in musical theatre post-high school. 

 

“I don’t really see myself doing anything else…I loved theatre, and I always loved it, and when I knew that I could pursue it as a career, that’s just what I wanted to do…I wanted to do something with the arts for my whole life,” said Bugaj.

 

Bugaj has participated in theatre arts since she was eleven, focusing mostly on musical theatre. Bugai says her favorite role she played for LRHS Theatre was the role of Gretchen Wieners in the 2024 spring musical Mean Girls. 

 

In addition, Bugaj has performed in shows with Starbright Youth Theatre and Durant Road Musical Theatre. At Durant Road Musical Theatre, she competed in musical theatre competitions. 

 

Post high school, Bugaj hopes to attend East Carolina University and pursue a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Musical Theatre. Post-college, Bugaj plans to head to New York City or Los Angeles as a foray into the musical theatre industry.

“[I hope to] live a comfortable life while doing exactly the thing I love to do,” said Bugaj. 

 

Evan and Rowan Proctor

Evan and Rowan Proctor are a twin duo looking to pursue band post high school. They’ve both been members of their middle and high school bands for seven years. 

 

Both siblings are in the marching, jazz, symphonic, and concert bands at LRHS. Rowan plays the clarinet, while Evan plays baritone saxophone. 

 

Post high school, Evan will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he will double major in band and philosophy. Rowan will attend Vermont University, where he will major in plant biology and minor in band. 

 

“I hope I can maybe get some money through gigs and stuff,” said Rowan. 

 

“If that was like an actual option for money, I would definitely do band [full time],” said Evan. 

 

Isabella Yee

Isabella Ye is a visual arts student pursuing a design career at North Carolina State University after high school. Ye is also a part of the theatre department at LRHS.

 

“As a kid, I really wanted to be an artist…originally, my big dream was to work in some sort of animation industry, but then as I got older, I was like ‘oh, I don’t know if that’ll happen’…I might end up doing art as a side hustle,” said Ye. 

 

At NC State, Ye is planning on applying for the MAD Tech program (Media, Arts, Design, and Technology). In addition, Ye is also planning to double major in either English or Psychology. 

 

Ye’s preferred art medium is pencil or ink artworks. She hopes to turn this into a career–or lucrative side hustle–through either comic strip or possibly children’s book illustration. Ye also expresses an interest in learning digital art and 3D modeling, so she could revisit her original dream of becoming a storyboard animation artist. 

 

“I want a stable job…I would also like to write my own books and publish my own stories. That would be my dream [along with art],” said Ye. 

 

These are just a few of the many talented visual and performing arts students at Leesville looking to pursue a career in their craft. LRHS wishes them the best of luck in their endeavors.