In the world premiere of The Greatest Showman at Bristol Hippodrome, Mia Raggio performed to sold-out audiences playing Caroline/Young Charity alongside her on-stage parents Oliver Tompsett (P.T. Barnum), Josh St. Clair (Alternate P.T. Barnum) and Samantha Barks (Charity Barnum), with The Greatest Showman based on the 2017 film and written by Tim Federle, with Casey Nicholaw as director. Mia played Young Sophia in the first and second workshops of If I Had You, and in 2024, she played Molly in The Children’s Inquiry at Southwark Playhouse. Previously, Mia played Marta von Trapp in the popular classic musical The Sound of Music at Chichester Festival Theatre, and alongside Carrie Hope Fletcher and Jamie Muscato, she performed as Ivonka in ONCE – In Concert at The London Palladium in 2023. Last year, Mia joined KIDZ BOP, recording their own versions of chart songs, and whilst in the group, she performed at Wembley Arena and was a guest on Saturday Mash-Up!, Blue Peter and This Morning. Alongside acting and music, Mia was a red carpet interviewer at premieres including Minecraft, Lilo & Stitch and Elio, and with a passion for dance, she still competes, and has become the World champion a few times representing England. We caught up with Mia about her time in the world premiere of The Greatest Showman as Caroline/Young Charity in Bristol, being in the cast of The Children’s Inquiry and The Sound of Music, her first professional theatre project as Ivonka in ONCE – In Concert and performing as a member of KIDZ BOP.

What was it like being part of the original cast of The Greatest Showman at Bristol Hippodrome earlier this year alongside Oliver Tompsett, Josh St. Clair and Samantha Barks (who played your on-stage parents), and how was it meeting your fellow cast members for the first time?

It was such an amazing experience, and being able to perform alongside Oliver Tompsett, Josh St. Clair and Samantha Barks was just incredible.

Oliver and Samantha were always so caring and supportive towards all of the children, both in rehearsals and during the show, and I really felt like we were a real stage family. One of my first-ever theatre trips was to see FROZEN, where Samantha Barks played Elsa, so I’ve looked up to her ever since I was seven years old. Getting the chance to play the younger version of her character, and also her daughter, was really special to me.

Meeting the cast for the first time was so exciting. Everyone was so lovely, and we were all just excited to be there together. I was lucky because I already knew some of the younger cast members, and I’d worked with a few of the adults before too, so walking into the rehearsal room already knowing some people definitely helped calm my nerves.

What drew you to the roles of Caroline and Young Charity, and how different were they to play?

I watched The Greatest Showman so many times growing up, so getting the chance to audition and sing that iconic song, A Million Dreams, was a dream come true for me!

It was actually really exciting to play both characters because they were quite different. Caroline is younger, so I got to be really playful and energetic, whereas Young Charity is a bit closer to my age, so I could relate to her more.

When I was playing Caroline, I had an on-stage sister called Helen, who was played by Harly (Gill). We spent so much time together over the five months that we honestly became like real sisters, and I think you could really see that connection on stage, which made it even more special.

How was it working on the world premiere production and performing to sold-out audiences at the Bristol Hippodrome?

I feel really lucky that I got to be part of such an incredible production and work with so many talented people. I don’t think there’s anything quite like being part of a world premiere because you’re helping to bring something completely new to life for the very first time.

One of the coolest things was getting to watch the show change and grow while we were in rehearsals and the preview stage. New ideas were being added all the time, so it felt like we were all creating it together. Getting to work with Pasek and Paul, who wrote all of these amazing songs, was honestly crazy, and singing for them was definitely a bit of a pinch-me moment.

As dance is such a big part of my life, getting to work with Casey Nicholaw was also really exciting. He’s choreographed so many musicals that I love, so being in the room with him was pretty special.

And then getting to perform every night to a completely full theatre was just amazing. Before we even opened, we knew the show had sold out, but nothing prepares you for walking on stage for the first time and seeing every single seat filled. That’s when you realise just how special the show is. Knowing that so many people had come to watch something that we had all worked so hard on made it feel even more exciting.

Having watched the 2017 film numerous times before auditioning for the musical, what was it like reading Tim Federle’s script?

It’s one of our family’s favourite films, so when it came to auditioning, I didn’t even need to learn the words to A Million Dreams because I already knew them! My mum has a video of me singing it when I’m about four, so it is funny to look back on knowing how long I have loved this show for!

Getting to read Tim Federle’s script and then actually be in the room with him was amazing. It was really special to see how the stage version was brought to life and to watch the script continue to develop while we were in rehearsals.

Seeing how much work goes into creating a brand-new musical was really interesting, and I feel very lucky that I got to be part of that process.

You played Young Sophia in the workshop of If I Had You last year; how was this?

I really enjoyed being part of If I Had You. I actually took part in both the first and second workshops, so it was really exciting to see how the show developed and changed over time.

Playing the very first Young Sophia was especially close to my heart because I come from Italian heritage and have grown up in a big Italian family. Because of that, there were so many moments in the story that felt so familiar to me. What made it even more special was that my family were able to come and watch the workshops too, so they could relate to the story as well.

It’s such a great story, and I really hope the musical does come to life because there’s so much fun, energy and heart in it. The songs are all amazing, and I feel so lucky that I got to be part of its journey.

I also loved working with Tina Treadwell and Kenny D’Aquila. They’re both so passionate about the show, and it was really exciting to watch them continue developing it and bringing their vision to life.

What was it like being involved with The Children’s Inquiry as Molly at Southwark Playhouse in 2024?

Looking back, I think this was probably one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever played. It was such a powerful show, and I actually think I understand it much more now than I did at the time because I was only 10 years old when I played Molly.

The show was performed by a cast of children 10 to 18 years old, and it told stories inspired by the experiences of children in the care system over many years. We were lucky enough to meet some of the people whose stories were represented in the production, and hearing them talk about their experiences made me realise how important the show was.

Playing Molly felt very different to a lot of the other roles I’ve played because it wasn’t just about entertaining people. We were helping to tell real stories that mattered, and that felt like a big responsibility, even at my age.

Looking back now, I’m really proud to have been part of it. It was such a special project, and it was amazing to see it go on to win a Sky Arts Award. I think it shows how important those stories were and how much they connected with people.

Do you have any stand-out memories from playing Marta von Trapp in The Sound of Music at Chichester Festival Theatre that you can share?

I have so many amazing memories from The Sound of Music, but my favourite was definitely right at the end of the show when Mother Abbess started singing Climb Ev’ry Mountain as she helped us leave the Abbey. As she sang, all of the nuns would slowly join in, and you could feel the emotion all around the theatre. Then the von Trapp family would walk through the audience as if we were climbing the mountains to escape, which always felt really special.

Even though I was only nine at the time, I remember getting quite emotional during that scene. You could see people in the audience wiping away tears, and it made me realise how powerful theatre can be.

There was something so magical about the music, the story and everyone coming together in that moment.

Was there anything that drew you to the role of Marta, and what was it like performing in a hugely popular classic musical?

This was another musical that I grew up watching as a child, so when I got offered the role of Marta, I was so excited.

When you tell someone that you played Marta, they almost always say her famous line straight away: “I’m Marta, and I’m going to be seven on Tuesday, and I’d like a pink parasol!”. I think that’s one of the reasons people love her so much, because she’s such a fun and memorable character.

Being part of such a well-known and loved musical was really special. The Sound of Music is one of those shows that seems to have been around forever, and so many people have grown up watching it.

How was it taking on the character of Ivonka in ONCE – In Concert at The London Palladium in 2023, which starred Carrie Hope Fletcher and Jamie Muscato?

This was my very first professional theatre job, and I still can’t believe that I got to make my West End debut at The London Palladium. The theatre is huge!!

I think Ivonka was the perfect first role for me because it gave me a little insight into what it’s like to be a professional performer without feeling too overwhelmed. I didn’t have any lines, but being part of such a special production taught me so much.

What made it even more special was that the concert was only on for one day, and I was lucky enough to perform in both shows.

Carrie Hope Fletcher and Jamie Muscato were both so lovely to me. I think they could probably tell it was my first job, and they were so kind and supportive, which really helped me feel confident.

You were a member of KIDZ BOP last year; how was it recording your own versions of chart songs and being a guest on Saturday Mash-Up!, Blue Peter and This Morning?

Being part of KIDZ BOP was just incredible. It gave me a real insight into what the pop industry is like, and recording our own versions of chart songs and music videos was really fun.

We’d all go into the recording studio separately. The UK Kids would record here in the UK, the American Kids would record in America, and then everything gets sent away and blended together.

One of the best things was getting to hear the songs when they were finally released. A lot of people don’t realise that we actually record them separately, so we don’t hear the finished version until it comes out, just like when everyone else does. The only exception is if we’re filming a music video for that song, because then we get to hear it a bit earlier while we’re learning the choreography and getting ready to film.

Going on TV shows like Saturday Mash-Up!, Blue Peter and This Morning was all really exciting, but very different for me. I’d never done anything like that before, so it was a completely new experience.

I have to say that This Morning was probably the most nerve-racking because I’d never done an interview live on TV before. Saturday Mash-Up! and Blue Peter felt a bit easier because we were performing, and that’s something I’m much more used to.

It definitely helped having Jack and Annika there with me because we were all really supportive of each other. If one of us ever got stuck answering a question, someone would always jump in and help.

How did you find the experience of being a member of KIDZ BOP and what was it like joining the group full-time after recording a few songs with them previously?

Being a KIDZ BOP Kid was just truly amazing. I think, out of everything I’ve done, this is one of the biggest things for me.

My mum was a school teacher, so growing up I was always listening to KIDZ BOP. She used the songs at school all the time, so they were always playing at home too. I used to walk around the house with a pretend microphone, thinking I was a pop star, so becoming an actual KIDZ BOP Kid felt like an absolute dream come true.

What some people don’t know is that I actually recorded about three songs for them before I became an official KIDZ BOP Kid. After my first face-to-face audition, I got a call asking if I would be interested in recording some songs for a new album they were working on at the time. That was really exciting because I hadn’t even got the job yet.

I think recording those songs made me want it even more because it gave me a little taste of what it would be like to be a KIDZ BOP Kid.

The audition process was really long and lasted almost a year! My very first audition was a self-tape from my living room, where I had to sing, dance and talk about myself. I remember having to move all the furniture out of the way so I had enough room!

Finally becoming a KIDZ BOP Kid was such a special moment for me. I’m just so grateful for the whole experience. I learned so much, made some amazing friends, and got to do things I’d only ever dreamed about.

What was it like performing at Wembley Arena, and what are some of your further favourite highlights from your time in the group?

Performing at Wembley Arena was honestly one of the craziest experiences ever. I’ve performed in so many theatres before and on some amazing stages, even in other countries, but this was Wembley Arena. And then there was little 11-year-old me getting to stand on the same stage as so many huge artists and pop stars.

We were also awarded a Guinness World Record for being the youngest music ensemble to ever headline an arena show. Being able to say I’m part of a Guinness World Record is so cool, and it’s definitely something I can’t wait to tell my grandchildren about one day.

There are so many highlights from my time in KIDZ BOP. From recording songs and filming music videos to performing on live TV and travelling to different parts of America, I got to do things I’d only ever dreamed about. I just loved all of it.

I do have to say though, one of my favourite parts was meeting so many fans and younger children who looked up to us. Even now, I sometimes get stopped by children who tell me they loved watching me in the Pink Pony Club video or the Golden video and ask me how I got into the big giant bubble!

What’s really sweet is that I was once that little girl looking up to the KIDZ BOP Kids. So it’s actually a really lovely feeling when younger children recognise me and tell me they want to be like me when they’re older.

How is it attending film premieres such as Minecraft, Lilo & Stitch and Elio as a red carpet interviewer?

This is always so much fun. My very first red carpet interviewing job was at the Minecraft movie premiere, and I got to interview Jack Black. Wow, that was a moment! He’s been in so many films that I love, and he was so lovely.

Interviewing was actually a skill that I had to learn on the job because I’d never done anything like it before. I remember being really nervous before my first interview, but after a couple of questions, you start to relax and enjoy it.

One thing that surprised me was how kind everyone was. The actors, producers and creatives are all so friendly, and I quickly realised that they’re probably just as nervous about being interviewed as we are about interviewing them!

I’ve been really lucky to attend premieres like Minecraft, Lilo & Stitch and Elio, and it’s always exciting getting to meet so many talented people and be part of such special events.

You also have a passion for dance, can you say about this side of your career?

Dance has always been a huge part of my life and is probably the thing I train in the most, to be honest.

I started dancing when I was about two years old in a baby ballet class. From there, I went on to do tap, jazz, modern, commercial and musical theatre classes, and by the time I was four years old, I had started competing.

I still compete now whenever I have the time, and I’ve been lucky enough to represent England at the Dance World Cup and become a World Champion a few times. I’ve also competed in the All England Festivals and won a number of championships there too.

Dance is something that I absolutely love, but it’s also something I take very seriously. I train around three to four times a week, and I also attend a full-time performing arts school where I get to dance, sing and act as part of my training two days a week.

I think dance has helped me in everything else I do. It’s given me confidence, discipline, and taught me how to perform in front of an audience from a really young age.

How did you get into acting, singing and dance, and did you always know you wanted to perform professionally?

I think, like a lot of children, I started dancing when I was really young. I went to dance classes, took part in the yearly shows and then started competing.

People always used to say that I was born for the stage because of my confidence, so my mum got me an agent. Luckily, my very first job was doing the voice of one of the Grape Kids in Supertato, which was really exciting.

Not long after that, I got my first theatre job in ONCE – In Concert at The London Palladium, and I’ve been really lucky ever since because I’ve had the chance to do so many amazing things.

I don’t think I always knew that I wanted to do this professionally. When I was younger, I just loved being on stage and performing because it made me so happy.

It was probably when I was in The Sound of Music that I started thinking about it more seriously. I was living away from home, and it made me realise how much I was struggling in a mainstream school because of my dyslexia. That’s when my mum started looking at full-time performing arts schools for me. I realised that performing wasn’t just something I loved doing – it was something I wanted to do every day.

What do you enjoy most about being a performer?

I think what makes being a performer so special, and what I enjoy most, is that I don’t just get to be me. I get to be so many different people and be part of so many different stories.

I love meeting new people and making new friends. One of my favourite things is seeing everything come together after weeks or even months of rehearsals and hard work, whether that’s for a theatre show, a dance show or even a competition solo.

Every job is so different. Being in The Greatest Showman was completely different to being in KIDZ BOP, but both experiences made me so happy in different ways.

I also love being able to make people feel something through what I’m doing. Whether it’s making them smile, laugh or cry, it’s really special knowing that something you’re part of can have an effect on people.

And honestly, there’s no feeling quite like being on stage and hearing the audience react, or seeing little children dancing along to your music videos. That’s probably the thing I love most about performing.

Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch or music artists to listen to?

I absolutely love the musical Newsies. I went to see it three or four times because I was completely obsessed with it. I loved everything about it – the setting, the dancing, the singing, the energy – just all of it.

The dancers were all so incredible, and the tricks and leaps they did were insane. Then there was this huge tap number, which was just amazing. I remember sitting there wishing that I was part of the musical.

I also love SIX. It’s a show that I would love to be in if I ever got the chance when I’m older. I feel like all the queens get to really show off their voices, and it’s such a different type of musical. I think it’s really powerful.

I also have to say that, even if I hadn’t been lucky enough to be part of it, I would still think The Greatest Showman was one of the most incredible musicals ever. It’s always been one of my favourite films, and now it will always hold a very special place in my heart.

When it comes to music, I listen to all sorts of artists, from Lady Gaga, Sienna Spiro, RAYE, Ariana Grande and Tate McRae. I think I see a little bit of myself in all of them, and I absolutely love singing their songs.

One of the things I loved most about being in KIDZ BOP was getting to cover songs by artists that I already listened to and admired.

How do you spend your free time?

When I’m not working, I like doing normal things that any 12 year old would do, like going shopping, hanging out with my friends and watching musicals.

I also absolutely love going to concerts. Getting to see some of my favourite artists perform live is always so exciting, and I probably enjoy being in the audience just as much as being on stage myself.

Even in my free time, I still seem to find myself dancing. I love going into London to take open dance classes, train with different teachers and learn new styles. I always come away feeling inspired and excited to keep improving.

But most of all, I love going on holiday with my family whenever I get the chance. Performing can be quite busy, so it’s really nice to switch off and spend quality time together.

I’m lucky because a lot of my hobbies are things that I genuinely love doing, so even when I’m not working, I’m usually doing something creative or performance-related.

What are your hopes for the future, and do you have any upcoming projects that you can talk about?

I hope that I continue to be blessed with exciting opportunities that come my way and that I can keep doing what I love. I’m back in the audition rooms now, which is really exciting because I love the whole audition process.

Of course, everyone hopes to book the job, but I also enjoy meeting new people, learning new things and challenging myself. Every audition teaches you something, whether you get the role or not.

I’m also looking forward to continuing my training, improving as a performer and seeing where it all takes me. I feel really lucky to have already had so many amazing experiences, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.