Preliminary version using coarse actors (9)
I believe the answer is:
roughcast
'preliminary version' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'coarse actors' is the wordplay.
'coarse' becomes 'rough' (similar in meaning).
'actors' becomes 'cast' (group of actors).
'rough'+'cast'='ROUGHCAST'
'using' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for roughcast that I've seen before include "Wall covering" , "outdoor coat" , "often seen plastered outside" , "Lacking refinement" , "not in the best of form yet" .)