Torpid characters making a stand (6)
I believe the answer is:
tripod
'a stand' is the definition.
(I know that tripod is a type of stand)
'torpid characters' is the wordplay.
'characters' indicates an anagram.
'torpid' anagrammed gives 'TRIPOD'.
'making' is the link.
(Other definitions for tripod that I've seen before include "one appears to have three legs!" , "Three-legged support" , "Torpid (anag.)" , "Drop it (anag)" , "oral test at school" .)