This is a reversal clue - look for indicators like 'back', 'returned', 'up' (in down clues), or 'west' (in across clues)
Join the wordplay parts together in sequence
Answer: OPUSES | Definition: 'work' | Wordplay: A charade of OP (theatrical; an initialism of opposite prompt, stage right ‘section of stage’) plus USES (‘applications’). ‘Work’ as body of work justifies the plural answer.