Behind the velvet curtain, where spotlights cast long
shadows, audiences hold their breath, and performers often face battles, the true drama unfolds far from the public eye.
There are whispers backstage, stories of actors who arrive pale and feverish,
yet vanish into their roles as if it were magic. The true wonder begins not
with the script, but with a phenomenon called ‘Doctor Theater’ that blurs the
line between mind and body, as revealed by a conversation with Emma Stone.
What hidden force drives actors to deliver flawless performances, even when
their bodies protest?
Emma Stone on the power of ‘Doctor Theater’
In her recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live
,
Emma Stone sheds
light on the Doctor Theater phenomenon, a term used among performers to
describe a shift that occurs in high-pressure environments. Stone suggested a “professional play”
after hearing about Diego Luna stepping off the stage when he fell ill. Stone explains, “When
you’re in a high-pressure environment like that where you have to perform live
or whatever, you all of a sudden aren’t sick anymore, it’s like the doctor of
theater.”
This effect highlights how adrenaline and focus can override physical
discomfort, allowing actors to deliver their best performances even when
unwell.
Arriving at the Jimmy Kimell LIVE! studios today pic.twitter.com/v0BuoLJzl6
— Emma The 2x Academy winner stone (@StonesSlave) June 26, 2025
That same commitment shines in Emma Stone’s latest role as
Louise Cross in Eddington,
Ari Aster’s ambitious new action comedy
debuting in theaters on July 18, 2025.
The film, which premiered at the Cannes
Film Festival, is set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, where a
pandemic-era standoff between a sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and a mayor (Pedro
Pascal) leads to social and political chaos. As tensions escalate, Stone’s portrayal brings a striking depth to all the characters she has ever played, leaving audiences to wonder what truly drives her transformative performances.
Read More: Netflix Set to Bring An Iconic Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone Flick from 2011 to Streaming
Emma Stone makes sure to justify all her character effortlessly. But the question remains, how does Stone transform
herself so completely for every role she takes on?
Building a Character: The Scent as a prep
Emma Stone further revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live
that her process for getting into
character is deeply personal. Stone shares, “I was, I think, maybe like
sixteen, I started picking a perfume, like a scent, for every character.”
This
unique approach allows Stone to create a sensory connection to each role, making
her performances more immersive and memorable. Each fragrance becomes a subtle yet powerful anchor, instantly transporting her back into the mindset of her character.
Emma Stone for Jimmy Kimmel Live! pic.twitter.com/VpR9UDy1Uu
— best of emma stone (@badpostestone) June 27, 2025
Emma Stone further explained that this method helped her fully
inhabit her characters, as the chosen scent becomes an anchor to the emotions required
for each role. Stone’s honesty about battling stage anxiety and using small personal
rituals to connect with her characters reminds us that even the brightest stars
rely on simple, relatable habits to bring extraordinary stories to life.
Read More: Ari Aster’s ‘Eddington’ Is the Post-COVID Trump Rule Nightmare That Pedro Pascal Can’t Shake
What do you think about Emma Stone’s way of dealing with stage fright and adopting a character? Let us know in the comments below.