Rank actors in recital (5)
I believe the answer is:
caste
'rank' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'actors in recital' is the wordplay.
'actors' becomes 'cast' (group of actors).
'in recital' shows a homophone (sound like).
'cast' is a homophone of 'CASTE'.
(Other definitions for caste that I've seen before include "Hereditary class (in India)" , "Persons with class" , "Hereditary Hindu social division" , "Large, long-necked, wading bird" , "Level in society" .)