THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ACTING: The Anatomy of Emotions on Stage
About this ebook
The Psychology of Acting: The Anatomy of Emotions on Stage is not just a guidebook – it’s a psychological blueprint for actors, directors, and performance artists who want to master the emotional layers of their craft.
Whether you’re a seasoned actor, a drama student, or a stage director, this book will help you understand the emotional systems that drive authentic performances.
Inside this book, you’ll explore:
Somatic Psychology in Acting – how body memory shapes emotional expression
Breathwork and Emotional Access – the science of how breath triggers feeling
Meditation and Internal Voice Training – connecting presence with performance
Stage Fright and Pre-Performance Anxiety – psychological tools to stay grounded
The Difference Between Real and Stage Emotion – emotional detachment without numbness
Trauma and Character Building – how to use (not misuse) personal pain in roles
Child Actors and Emotional Safety – ethical guidance for working with young performers
Silent Scenes and Subtext Techniques – expressing emotion without a word
Perfect for:
Actors seeking emotional truth and technical control
Drama teachers and acting coaches developing safer and deeper methods
Therapists using roleplay or psychodrama techniques
Screenwriters and directors who want emotionally intelligent characters
Written by acclaimed director and performance coach Zaur Tahirsoy, this book blends clinical insight with real-life stage examples, offering exercises, scene work, and reflection tools for psychological growth through performance.
Keywords optimized for:
acting psychology, emotional acting, method acting, actor’s toolkit, breath and acting, trauma and theater, somatic acting, emotions on stage, stage anxiety, subtext acting, character development, drama therapy, child actors, actor self-care, emotional intelligence in acting
Transform your performance by mastering the inner landscape.
Act not just with feeling – but with emotional wisdom.
About the author
Zaur Tahirsoy is a filmmaker, writer, and educator revolutionizing cinema and performing arts in Azerbaijan. As the founder of the Azerbaijan Film Academy, he has played a crucial role in shaping a new generation of actors, screenwriters, and directors. He introduced the first structured professional training program for child actors in Azerbaijan, setting a pioneering standard in the industry. Zaur Tahirsoy is the first to introduce a home theater methodology for parents and children, encouraging families to engage in creative storytelling and acting. His books serve as practical, interactive guides that promote family-based acting education in Azerbaijan. Additionally, as a director, screenwriter, and producer, he has created some of the first independent feature films and digital series in Azerbaijan, breaking boundaries in the national film industry. His works combine psychological depth, social impact, and cinematic excellence, making him a trailblazer in modern Azerbaijani cinema. Beyond shaping the future of performing arts in Azerbaijan, Zaur Tahirsoy has developed a global model proving that creative growth can begin at home. His methodologies and teachings inspire parents, educators, and young actors worldwide. On a global scale, Zaur Tahirsoy is the creator of "The Line - Screenplay Encoding", a next-generation screenplay structure that introduces a modern and innovative approach to traditional scriptwriting, redefining the industry. Additionally, he is the founder of "The Actor Algorithm", a method that provides scientific and technical analysis of acting performances, creating a systematic and effective training model for actors worldwide.
