A thing actor looks for in pieces (5)

I believe the answer is:

apart

'in pieces' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a thing actor looks for' is the wordplay.
'thing actor looks for' becomes 'part' (an acting role).
'a'+'part'='APART'

(Other definitions for apart that I've seen before include "(Break) into pieces" , "in bits" , "Independently" , "In private" , "Estranged - in pieces" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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