Degrees for acting? (6)

I believe the answer is:
stages
'degrees' is the definition.
('stage' can be a synonym of 'degree')
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stages that I've seen before include "Positions or points in a process" , "Sagest venues for plays" , "Parts of a process" , "Stations" , "Platforms on which plays are performed" .)
