Maybe contemplative second acts in plays (8)
I believe the answer is:
monastic
'maybe contemplative' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'second acts in plays' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 'mo' (both are short periods of time).
'plays' is an anagram indicator.
'acts'+'in'='actsin'
'actsin' anagrammed gives 'nastic'.
'mo'+'nastic'='MONASTIC'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for monastic that I've seen before include "Of sequestered life under religious vows" , "Reclusive" , "following order" , "Austere" , "Relating to life in a cloister" .)