Auditioning for a role in musical theatre is fraught enough. But Melbourne actor, singer, dancer and rapper Tarik Frimpong also carries the weight of his African cultural heritage when applying for jobs.

"I’m called to audition for numerous shows and productions that say they’re looking for black actors to portray roles that celebrate diversity but I’m the only person of colour in the auditioning room," Frimpong says.

"From the top down, the creative, production, tech and casting teams don’t have a good representation of racial diversity."

Frimpong, founder of the Artists of Colour Initiative, has launched a scholarship competition to support six theatre performers who are black, Indigenous or people of colour.