Traits displayed by performer (6)
I believe the answer is:
artist
'performer' is the definition.
(eg a musician)
'traits displayed' is the wordplay.
'displayed' is an anagram indicator (letters displayed in another way).
'traits' with letters rearranged gives 'ARTIST'.
'by' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for artist that I've seen before include "Bacon, for example?" , "Constable possibly" , "Strait (anag)" , "Painter, sculptor etc" , "Painter, drawer" .)