Level reached in acting development?

I believe the answer is:

stage

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'level' is the definition.
(I know this)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for stage that I've seen before include "Phase; mount" , "Section of a rocket" , "The boards" , "Juncture" , "Acting area" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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