Tread the stage (4)
I believe the answer is:
step
This clue is a double definition.
'tread' is the first definition.
('step' can be a synonym of 'tread')
'the stage' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for step that I've seen before include "Measure - pace" , "one stage of flight" , "Place foot on as with a pest" , "Tramp" , "Pace - part of a procedure" .)