FLINT, Michigan — Buckle up for
A Driving Beat, a brand-new play making waves at
FIM’s Flint Repertory Theatre, which combines music, heart, and a little bit of road-trip chaos. Developed during the Flint Rep’s 2023 New Works Festival and written by Jordan Ramirez Puckett, this world premiere follows fifteen-year-old Mateo as he embarks on a cross-country soul-searching journey with his mother, Diane.
The mother and son’s road trip quickly evolves into exploring family dynamics, social issues, and identity. The play escalates with the addition of Reina, a unique character who provides an avenue for Mateo and Diane to come to terms with what’s happening in their respective lives.
The theatre’s run of
A Driving Beat also includes a few additions. On March 26, the Flint Rep featured an American Sign Language (ASL) performance with two ASL interpreters specializing in performing arts. The performance was a first for the Flint Rep to be able to provide for students.
This performance was given to provide greater access to inclusivity in partnership with students from the Michigan School for the Deaf and Grand Blanc High School learning ASL. With a focus on accessibility, the performance highlights the Flint Rep’s commitment to ensuring that theater is a space where all voices are heard and celebrated.
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Courtesy photoLoss and motherhood impact the character Diane in profound ways.“By exploring different contexts, students will gain a better understanding of how interpreters function in settings like schools, healthcare, entertainment, and business environments,” says Ty Heisey, Grand Blanc High School’s ASL I & II Instructor, who is Deaf. “This knowledge will help them navigate these spaces more effectively, especially when they are working alongside interpreters or interacting with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.”
The second addition to
A Driving Beat includes a special spoken word pre-show event on March 27. Tapping into the local poetry scene, Flint natives Vaughn Kelsey Davis, AshleyCae Lee, Jerimiah Whitehead, and Tia Scott will bring their unique perspectives to the stage, setting the tone for the play.
The play extends beyond the realm of theatre, offering audiences a rich experience highlighting the power of language and human connection.
“One of the poems I plan to perform is titled 'No one's coming to save Us,' which is centered around the resilience of community, particularly the Flint community, and how we have gone through so much but are still standing, even if we may feel forgotten as a people,” says Tia Scott. “I feel that this piece speaks to the theme of identity as a city and what it feels like to try to change negative narratives after overcoming hardships.”
Flintside caught up with Reina’s actor, Clara Tristan, to talk about her role in
A Driving Beat and all it has to offer.
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Courtesy photoTristen's character, Reina, is more than just a character for Mateo and Diane. Flintside: Can you describe your character, Reina, and her significance in A Driving Beat?
Clara Tristan: “Reina represents Mateo’s vision of his mother — the figure he longs for and sees everywhere. She embodies multiple people, places, and experiences that resonate with all of us.”
Flintside: How did you prepare to portray Reina, and what aspects of her personality or background did you find most challenging or rewarding to bring to life?
C. Tristan: “To prepare for this role, I relied on physicality and voice to make each character distinct. Since Reina embodies multiple people, creating each one was its own challenge. They all had unique circumstances, clear objectives, specific roles, and distinct personalities. I poured every part of myself into ensuring these characters felt like fully realized human beings that the audience could connect with.”
Flintside: What drew you to this role as an actress, and how does A Driving Beat compare to other productions you’ve been a part of?
C. Tristan: “What drew me most to this play was the multitude of people my character embodies. I was excited to bring them to life through my perspective. I’ve played multiple roles in a play before, but this experience was different — I had full scenes where I engaged with other characters and directly influenced their journey, rather than just brief appearances on and off stage.”
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Courtesy photo Language and belonging are at the heart of Mateo's search for the truth.Flintside: The play explores identity and family dynamics during a cross-country journey. How does Reina contribute to these themes, and how does she impact Mateo and Diane’s relationship?
C. Tristan: “Reina offers a cultural perspective that is entirely different from Diane’s. As they interact, Diane gains insight into this new perspective, while Mateo feels seen and understood through their shared experiences. This becomes especially evident when he helps Diane recognize what it means to be different by observing Reina’s point of view.”
Flintside: As a Latin American actress from Panama, how has your background influenced your interpretation of Reina and your approach to this role?
C. Tristan: “My background deeply shaped my interpretation of Reina. Throughout the play, there are discussions about people of color and diverse cultures, which Reina and Mateo embody. This is why casting a Latin American actress in this role has been essential. I also brought a unique perspective — not of feeling like I don’t belong, but of confidently identifying as a Latin American actress from the Americas. Panama is in America. This sense of belonging allowed Reina to embrace her identity, inspiring Diane and Mateo to fully own their journey and experiences.”
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Courtesy photoDiane and Reina are all smiles while sharing a glass of wine in the play 'A Driving Beat.' Flintside: What has working with the team and cast at the FIM been like?
C. Tristan: “I am forever in love with Flint and the creative team. Flint Repertory Theater is the most collaborative institution I have ever worked in.”
Flintside: The March 26 performance will feature ASL interpretation, making the show more accessible to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. How does this added element enhance the storytelling, and what does it mean to you to be part of a production that prioritizes inclusivity?
C. Tristan: “It means everything to me, and I am proud to be part of a production like this.”
Flintside: Many students will have the opportunity to see A Driving Beat. What do you hope young audiences, especially those in Flint, take away from the story and your character’s journey?
C. Tristan: “I don’t just hope — I know — that young audiences and the Flint community will leave feeling curious about other cultures and more appreciative of their own family dynamics and relationships. This play [is] a powerful vehicle for understanding and love, a message often missing in today’s world.”
To learn more about 'A Driving Beat' and the last few shows, visit the FIM’s website for more details.