Supporter employed in theatre as elocutionist (5)
I believe the answer is:
easel
'supporter' is the definition.
'in theatre as elocutionist' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'EASEL' is hidden within 'theatre as elocutionist'.
'employed' acts as a link.
This may not be right. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for easel that I've seen before include "board support" , "Artist's canvas suppot" , "Painter's tripod" , "The rest of artists" , "dead-headed plant" .)