Croats turned performers (6)
I believe the answer is:
actors
'performers' is the definition.
(actor is a kind of performer)
'croats turned' is the wordplay.
'turned' indicates an anagram.
'croats' is an anagram of 'ACTORS'.
(Other definitions for actors that I've seen before include "Cast" , "Theatrical performers" , "Luvvies" , "They 23 down" , "Thespians" .)