Act on stage (9)
'act' is the definition.
(I know that act can be written as represent)
'on stage' is the wordplay.
'on' becomes 're' (regarding).
'stage' becomes 'present' (present can mean to stage or put on).
're'+'present'='REPRESENT'
(Other definitions for represent that I've seen before include "Play the part" , "Serve as a symbol for" , "Illustrate" , "Act for" , "Ambassadors do it" .)
(Other definitions for tread the boards that I've seen before include "act" , "What actors do" , "Work as an actor" , "plays" .)