Taking the Stage (Veteran) is the first stage in Actress Awakens!.
Battleground
4 Heavenly Hippoes appear at the start of the battle. ~10 seconds later, Those Guys and Squire Rel start spawning in groups.
When the enemy base is damaged, the boss, Beefcake Cat, appears with Celeboodles, Jackie Peng, Doges, Gabriels and Heavenly Hippoes. From here on out, Heavenly Hippoes will spawn in groups of 4 every ~30 seconds.
Strategies
Strategy 1
Lineup: Mohawk Cat (Level 20+10 at least), Eraser Cat (Level 20+10 at least), Madame Sumo (Level 20 at least), Macho Leg Cat (Level 20+10 at least), Dragon Cat (Level 20+10 at least) and Crazed Bahamut Cat (level 20 at least).
Only spawn Bahamut when Beefcake Cat is halfway towards the Cat Base.
Strategy 2
Cat Lineup: 4 meatshields, 3-4 mid-long ranged attackers like Dragon Cat, Macho Leg Cat and Paris Cat, and 2-3 long-ranged attackers like Bahamut Cat and any Uber Rare that has long-range. Ururun will greatly help you if you have her.
Start off by stalling the Heavenly Hippoes and deplete their health slowly by putting down few mid-long range attackers. You should have a full wallet by the end. Spam everything once you're ready. Otherwise, you can keep saving up and trigger the boss using your mid-long range attackers. After the boss has appeared, let it come closer to your base and start spamming. Never ever stop spamming meatshields!
Strategy 3
Eye of the Storm might be useful.
You need Eraser Cat, Crazed Wall Cat, Jiangshi Cat, Paris Cat and Jamiera Cat.
Jamiera Cat and the meatshields will kill the peons and Paris Cat will eat the health of Beefcake. This will work because Paris Cat and the meatshields can kill Crazed Titan Cat, so why can't they beat an easier stage?