SALINAS, Calif. – July 8, 2025 – A group of nine Hartnell College students and two faculty members is heading to Cleveland, Ohio, to present their original production, Get with the Times, Jane! at the acclaimed BorderLight Theatre Festival, an international showcase known for celebrating boundary-pushing, socially engaged, and independent theatre.

The opportunity marks a major milestone for the Hartnell College Theatre program and the student creators.

"We've been working on this project since 2024, so we've spent a lot of time with it," said Aleah Aguilar, a Hartnell College student. "The fact that we're taking it out of state to present at a festival says a lot about how far we've come."

Written and performed by an all-female cast of students, Get with the Times, Jane! is a bilingual, time-traveling comedy that brings history and modern-day struggles into a sharp, humorous focus. The story follows a Mexican-American suffragette from 1916 who awakens in 2016 and finds herself clashing and connecting with three present-day college women confronting challenges around politics, identity, and equality.

"This is a show we built together," said Karen Alfaro, a theatre student who is transferring to USC in the fall. "We wanted to create something that speaks to our community, especially our Hispanic community. It's been amazing to see how audiences connect with it."

The students first produced the show in Fall 2024 amid the backdrop of the national election, drawing on personal experiences and social issues to shape the script. After a successful run, theatre instructor River Navaille submitted the work to fringe festivals nationwide. BorderLight soon responded with an invitation to join its 2025 lineup.

"We got so much great feedback on the first version of the show," said Aguilar. "It made people laugh, think, and want to create something of their own. That's why people should see it." Before traveling to Ohio, the cast will present a local preview performance at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, at the Black Box Theater inside MCAET (Media Center for Art, Education and Technology), located at 901 Blanco Circle in Salinas. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to RSVP.

Get with the Times, Jane! will also be performed at additional local venues following the group's return from Cleveland.

About Hartnell College

Located in the heart of Salinas Valley, Hartnell Community College District is a leading institution serving over 12,000 students annually across our main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus, and education centers in King City, Castroville, and Soledad. HCCD is a Seal of Excelencia Certified institution and a recognized Hispanic-serving institution since 2000. We offer associate and bachelor's degrees and certificate programs to prepare students for successful transfer to four-year universities or immediate entry into the workforce. Learn more about our programs and initiatives.

About the BorderLight Theatre Festival

The BorderLight Theatre Festival is recognized for presenting innovative voices from around the world, and gives emerging artists the chance to perform alongside established theatre-makers.