Dina began writing plays, short stories and sketch comedy scenes in grade school in her hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario. She moved to Toronto to attend Ryerson University, moved to Rome, Italy, and has now settled in Los Angeles where she works as a writer, performer, and voice-over artist. Although Dina’s grade school did not have a gymnasium to host theatrical productions or sporting events, she and her best friend convinced the school principal to grant them permission to write and produce the school’s first, and only, variety talent show. It was staged in one of the classrooms and only half the school could attend. Dina has come a long way since that variety show. She has gone on to work in Italy, Canada, the Caribbean, and the USA. While working in Rome, Dina had many memorable moments. One of the highlights, however, was a meeting with the Maestro himself, Federico Fellini, which subsequently became the inspiration for a portion of her one-woman show, The Italian in Me.
Dina was selected as one of the Top ten Actresses by reviewplays.com for her performance in The Italian In Me, which she wrote and starred in. Backstage West wrote, “Her profound scene with Federico Fellini is written and rendered to perfection.” In 2011 Dina’s full-length play, with a cast of twelve, Moose On The Loose, a comedy about an Italian family and a Canadian moose, had its world premiere at Theatre West in Los Angeles where the show opened to rave reviews and sold out shows. Mel Brooks wrote, “I cannot tell a lie, Moose On The Loose is really funny and surprisingly moving.”
Moose On The Loose was picked up and successfully produced in Canada by Magnus Theatre, under the direction of Mario Crudo, and by STC Sudbury Theatre Centre, with direction by Caleb Marshall.
Dina is the writer and editor of the Los Angeles based lifestyle magazine, The Eden Magazine. She is a member of the Theatre West writers unit and sits on the Artistic Board. She has done countless performances, showcases, and readings of her work throughout the city. She is the process of getting her new solo show up in the next year, My Uterus, a womb with a view, as well as a five-character play, Sandbags.
Dina is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada, Dramatists Guild of America, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, Alumni of Ryerson University and UCLA, and a long time member of Theatre West.