EP 708: Ainsley Melham - The Journey to Broadway

Ainsley Melham has just finished playing the lead role in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway, for the second time. Born in Bathurst, west of Sydney, Ainsley studied at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) before scoring his first role in the children's musical group Hi-5, who were huge in Australia, Asia and the UAE. After 3 years with Hi-5 Ainsley departed to go back to his musical theatre roots. Shortly thereafter Ainsley won the title role in Disney Theatrical Company's Aladdin in Sydney, before taking that role to the bright lights of Broadway in 2019. He toured Australia in both Pippin (2020) and Wicked (2024) and in 2025 starred as Dwayne in Boop! The Musical on Broadway. Ainsley originated this role in the 2023 pre-Broadway run and continued with the production to Broadway last year. This is a wonderful story of hard work, a solid work ethic, dreams, grit, chasing a challenge, chasing the process, all the while remaining humble and grounded. LINKS Ainsley's website ainsleymelham.com Instagram @ainsleymelham The Mojo Sessions website www.themojosessions.com The Mojo Sessions on Patreon www.patreon.com/TheMojoSessions Full transcripts of the show (plus time codes) are available on Patreon. The Mojo Sessions on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheMojoSessions Gary on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/gary-bertwistle Gary on Twitter www.twitter.com/GaryBertwistle The Mojo Sessions on Instagram www.instagram.com/themojosessions If you like what you hear, we'd be grateful for a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Happy listening! © 2026 Gary Bertwistle. All Rights Reserved.