Spotlight On

Farah Dinga (they/them) is a San Diego-based Pakistani-Queer playwright, actor, producer, and educator. Trained at University of California San Diego, you may have seen their work at; Diversionary Theatre, The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, New Village Arts, MOXIE Theatre, SD Rep, and many more. They are also the current Rising Tides commissioned playwright with Diversionary Theatre and National New Play Network.

Melissa is so excited to be teaching for LJP this summer! She received her MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University and is an actor, director, choreographer and educator in San Diego and beyond. As an actor, she has traveled everywhere from Main Street USA in Disneyland to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Favorite credits include: Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan (McCoy Rigby), Aquata in The Little Mermaid (touring), and Rita Racine in Steel Pier (SDSU). She is an associate choreographer for Virgin Voyages, and has also directed/choreographed work for the SD Fringe, Broadway San Diego Awards, and Grossmont College. Melissa has a passion for education and currently teaches at Grossmont College, CorePower Yoga, Mockingbird Improv and Teatro San Diego. Her aim as a teaching artist is to shape self-assured students who develop confidence, curiosity, and empathy through theater training.

Jeffrey Howard Ingman is an award winning, nationally recognized Southern California based acting teacher, coach and mentor. He has directed over 70 + productions and has been acting since the age of 11. He teaches, coaches, and mentors actors for Film, TV, and Theatrical auditions at his company, Audition Revelation. Jeffrey has developed the “Not a Moment to Lose” technique which has created an actor tested path to success. He comes highly recommended by industry professionals and current and former students. His clients are represented by respectable agents and managers and are seen in national and local television commercials, films and television. ​His students have been accepted into some of the best BFA and MFA programs in the US and abroad. Jeffrey is fully dedicated to creating, supporting and activating an environment where all Peoples are respected, honored, and celebrated regardless of race, cultural identity, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, socio-economic status, disability, or religion.

Justin Lang (He/Him/His) is thrilled to be returning to LJP to teach Intro to Acting! Justin is a San Diego based actor, director, producer, writer, and teaching artist. He was in Critics Circle Award nominated Outstanding Dramatic Productions; Of Mice and Men as George Milton & Trouble In Mind as Eddie Fenton. He was a company member of the Critics Circle Award Winning, Poor Players Shakespeare company, and was a founding member and Production Manager of Critics Circle Award winning, New Fortune Theater Company.

Wilfred is an Actors’ Equity Association member with an M.A. in Theatre Arts and a B.A. in Theatre Performance; graduate of the MCIT Acting Studio. Currently an MFA Musical Theatre Candidate at San Diego State University, class of 2024. Acting credits: Light Years Away (La Jolla Playhouse), Eighty-sixed (Diversionary Theatre), Bloodletting (SDSU), Cabaret (SDSU), O Wondrous Night (SeaWorld) and A Semicolon is a Double (Scripps Ranch Theatre). Directing credits include: Kasama (Southwestern College), Potion (Moxie Theatre), and School of Rock (Junior Theatre). Choreographer highlights: Hunchback of Notre Dame (Junior Theatre), Lion King Jr. (Young Actors’ Theatre), Shrek & Newsies (Academy of Our Lady of Peace), and Hall Pass (Blindspot Collective). Wilfred is an Adjunct Professor at Grossmont College, Southwestern College, and the University of San Diego. Wilfred directs & facilitates applied theatre projects centering LGBTQIA+ issues, racial justice, & youth advocacy. Listen to Wilfred on Spotify featured in the original cast recording of The Things We Never Say written by Thomas Hodges.