Curtain Opens for CSM’s Production of ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ November 14

A courtroom drama will unfold on the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) La Plata Campus during the college’s production of Agatha Christie’s “Witness for the Prosecution”, opening Friday, November 14, 2025.

The story follows the trial of Leonard Vole, who stands accused of murdering a rich widow. True to form, the Agatha Christie classic takes the audience on a winding road of plot twists and suspenseful surprises.

Theater and dance major Katie Labrie got her start in CSM theater as a dual enrollment student last spring. When auditions for this play came along, she knew she wanted to join.

“It’s been a challenge, it’s my biggest role ever, but we’re having fun,” Labrie said. “It’s such a fun cast, and that’s the thing I love about CSM theater. It’s such a relaxed, comforting community, we’re all in it together and we’re all going to have fun.”

The play is broken into three acts, moving between the lawyer’s office and the courtroom, and features exciting witness testimony. It also includes original music by CSM theater collaborator Jim Watson.

Demarcus Moore, a second-year theater and dance student, takes the stage as the accused Leonard Vole. This is Moore’s first leading role. He said it was a challenging start, especially the accent work necessary for portraying a British trial. He’s proud of how far this cast has come and being able to share the knowledge he’s gained with other cast members.

“This experience has taught me a lot, not only about this craft but about myself and how to love me, not only as an actor but as a person,” Moore said.  “I think I was hard on myself throughout this process, and I just learned to be patient with myself because eventually I got there.”

Director AnnMarie Saunders said the theater program has been rebuilding since COVID, and this is the first production since she assumed the full-time director position in 2023 where the cast is mostly students. Of the 19-member cast, 16 are CSM students.

“They have always been really eager and interested to learn. They show up ready to take notes and improve every time,” Saunders said. “The accent work has been great. I’m really proud of how hard they have worked.”

CSM theater student Brady Ward plays the leading role of lawyer Sir Wilfrid Robarts. He said it’s been a great experience working with so many students from different programs.

“You get to see so many different people with different ideas come together on the stage,” Ward said. “Everybody has a personality, and I feel welcome to try new things. It’s like pieces of a puzzle coming together to make this show.”

Ward enrolled last fall as an engineering student but transferred to the theater program in the spring and said he hasn’t looked back. He hopes this show inspires others to pursue their dreams.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, anyone can try out and be in a show,” Ward said, “Don’t be afraid to get out there and do what you love.”

Opening night is Friday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Shows will take place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 23.

Visit the event page for more information and to purchase tickets.