Crossword Genius

Stage performer getting a rise out of Tees? On the contrary (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

artiste

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'stage performer' is the definition.
'artiste' can be an answer for 'performer' (an artiste is a performer or entertainer). I'm not certain of the 'stage' bit.

'a rise out of tees? on the contrary' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'tees?' could be 'i' (where the crossword setter is 'Tees') and 'i' is located in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'getting' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for artiste that I've seen before include "Theatre performer" , "Person playing" , "A sitter for a performer" , "Attires (anag.)" , "A sitter for creative person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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