Acting values are the beliefs and principles that forge the type of artist you wish to be and give you a roadmap for the kind of creative life you wish to live. They show up in the way you work, the work you choose, and the way you collaborate with others. 

In a craft that demands so much of us emotionally, staying grounded in what matters helps protect our mental health and sense of self. In most of the acting classes NYC has to offer, the emphasis is on craft, and rightly so. But I believe that there is more to shaping an aspiring actor than just technique. 

What do you stand for? What kind of contribution do you want to make in this business? How do you want to use your artistic voice to advocate for the positive changes you wish to see in the world? These are important questions to ask.

This blog breaks down my acting values, and the importance of having your own. They should  influence how you live your life and how you approach your work.

Key Takeaways

• Acting that has an impact starts with knowing who you are and what you stand for.

• Your values shape your craft, your character, and your career.

• Talent matters, but how you show up on set and in life is what people remember.

1. You Need to Know Who You Are First

Before you can create honest characters, you need a clear sense of who you are.

Self-awareness isn’t optional in acting—who the fuck are you, and what makes you tick? What are you passionate about? What are your feelings about the world, politics, culture, etc.? 

You can bring more to your art than what resides inside of you. When you are approaching a character, you will need to know what parts of yourself have to be accessed. This important insight into who you are is vital for the actor.

Your core values shape how you approach the craft, who you choose to collaborate with, and what actually matters to you. 

Two important acting values are authenticity and artistic integrity. Your authenticity is all you have as an artist, and you do not want to sacrifice that for anyone. Staying true to who you are and having the courage to channel your truth into your work are very important. 

When you know what you stand for, you're more intentional, less reactive, and more confident in your vision and the choices you make. That clarity supports better acting, stronger mental health, and greater well-being in daily life.

Getting to truly know yourself takes time. Journaling, solitude, reflection, therapy, and Meisner training are all practical ways to make these discoveries. When you’re honest with yourself, your work will become more authentic, and what makes you unique will soar into your art.

2. Define What You Stand For

As an actor, you’re not just building credits—you’re shaping a body of work that reflects who you are. That’s why it’s important to define what you stand for. 

Your core values guide your choices, especially during long hours, emotional work, or moments of conflict. They help you choose roles and collaborators that align with your beliefs and challenge the status quo.

I believe in artistry; it is a core creative value. Artistry is the care with which you work. It is attention to detail. Artistry separates the hack from the artist. 

I stand for self-discipline and work ethic. I value collaboration and professionalism. When your choices reflect what matters to you, you’re more consistent, more fulfilled, and better equipped to handle challenges not only in your daily life but in your artistic work.

Reflection and writing can help clarify your beliefs and give you a clear framework to make decisions under pressure. When your work lines up with your values, it carries more meaning, and so does the life you’re building around it.

3. Set Boundaries with Courage and Clarity

Not every role is worth saying yes to. Some jobs may cross personal ethical lines for you or conflict with your core values. Saying “no” doesn’t make you difficult. It shows you understand what matters to you and that you're willing to take action to protect it.

Boundaries are important both personally and professionally. They help keep you from being taken advantage of while also reducing stress and protecting your overall well-being. Communicate them clearly and respectfully with reps, directors, or collaborators. The more consistent you are, the more trust and respect you’ll build.

Protecting your integrity may cost you a job today, but it strengthens your sense of purpose, mental health, and long-term satisfaction.

4. How You Work Should Reflect Your Values

Professionalism is another core value of mine, and it is essential in anything you want to do in life. Acting is a collaborative art, and the ability to work with others is very important. 

What is professionalism? It’s showing up on time, being prepared, treating everyone with respect, and holding yourself accountable. Make it a point to never be the problem; be a problem solver.

Most actors are lazy and don’t really have any professional standards. Set a high bar for yourself. Demand more than just your second best. Embrace hard work and be easy to get along with. 

Letting your work reflect your values may not always be easy, but it builds a career rooted in integrity. It will, over time, develop a reputation you can be proud of, because it's earned in the way you show up for the work, and in the way you interact with others. 

When you make a great impression on other successful people, they will want to refer you to other artists who value their opinions. You will be surprised how far the reputation you establish can further your career.

5. Cultivate a Code of Ethics On and Off Set

When I think about a code of ethics for a professional actor, I think it starts with integrity. 

For one, never lie on a resume! Don’t make shit up. Be truthful. It’s a very small industry and working professionals run in overlapping circles. If I see a director’s name on your resume only to find out that you did not work with them, I would never hire you. 

When it comes to artistic integrity, respect the director's vision, don’t sabotage anyone’s performance, and refrain from behavior that would disrupt rehearsal or performance.

When it comes to contracts, agreements, and copyright laws, be an actor who values honesty and abides by anything you put your name to. Do not plagiarize or share a script with anyone when you have been specifically instructed not to do so. This is all unethical, in my opinion.

If you witness someone being taken advantage of, or pressed into doing something that is clearly against union rules and/or unseemly, be the person that calls that shit out. Don’t let unethical behavior slide, and stand up for anyone who feels too intimidated to do so on their own behalf.

6. Stay Humble, Stay Generous

I believe another important acting value is coming to everything you do with humility. I think one should strive to be honorably selfish and conduct themselves with humble confidence. 

Being honorably selfish means not letting anyone fuck with your work and your process but doing that with clarity and respect. Also, confidence is important, and arrogance is really unbecoming. Combine humility with your deep belief in yourself, and you will leave a positive impact on those you work with.

Generosity is another important value, not just for the actor but for everyone. Use your success, your voice, to pay forward to those less fortunate. It’s most often actors who advocate most publicly for important causes. Empathy for human suffering goes a long way if you are pro active in making impactful change.

7. Stay Grounded in Lifelong Learning

I believe that intellectual curiosity is an essential acting value. You cannot bring more to your art than what resides in you. Most of the acting classes NYC has to offer do not emphasize this. You should want to know about the history of the world and the way human beings have treated each other over the centuries.

Learning about the history of acting, both on stage and screen is essential for any serious actor. All great creatives are influenced by the greats that came before them. This is a major source of an artist’s inspiration. 

You can see influences in so many iconic performances. Actors have been trying to imitate Brando for sixty years. Directors and writers are deeply influenced by their artistic heroes. You don’t want your ignorance to limit you or embarrass you in a professional setting.

8. Protect Your Energy and Mental Health

Caring for your instrument is not just an acting value but a life one, too. Acting asks a lot from you mentally, emotionally, and physically. The actor’s instrument is your entire being, your body, your voice, your imagination, and your temperament. Care for it the same way a violinist in the NYC Philharmonic cares for his violin.

Your mental health affects how you perform, connect, and face stress. Protecting it means paying attention to what you feel, making time to reflect, and staying rooted in the values that matter most. 

This is why self-care is a core value of the Maggie Flanigan Studio. We offer classes in Breathwork, Reiki, Self-Regulation, and offer group counseling sessions with a certified therapist who specializes in the artist’s journey.

9. Live Your Values in Community

Acting is personal, but it’s never done alone. Every project depends on collaboration, and how you treat others plays a big role in your reputation. Building strong, respectful relationships means living your values consistently in rehearsal, on set, and in everyday interactions.

Your professionalism is measured by how you engage with people. Are you supportive, prepared, and respectful across the board? Small actions like remembering names, sharing credit, and acknowledging effort reflect important values like openness and character.

When individuals act with consistency and care, they create stronger groups, healthier relationships, and a working environment built on trust.

10. Promote Positivity and Professionalism

How you show up emotionally impacts your performance and shapes how others experience working with you. In a field filled with stress, long hours, and big emotions, the actor who brings calm, focus, and support stands out. Positivity isn’t about ignoring hard feelings. It’s about how you choose to respond.

Staying optimistic in the face of rejection or pressure reflects character and emotional control. It shows you’re focused on the bigger picture, not just a single outcome. That mindset supports well-being and helps you handle challenges without losing confidence.

Professionalism means showing respect, staying consistent, and taking the work seriously. A positive attitude builds trust, strengthens groups, and makes you someone people want to work with again.

Take Your Acting Further by Starting with What Matters

If you’ve been bouncing between classes and still feel stuck, you’re not alone. Many actors work hard but miss the deeper growth that comes from knowing who they are and what they stand for. 

Maybe the roles don’t feel right. Maybe the work feels thin. That’s often a sign your values aren’t in the work yet.

At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, we train serious actors who want more than quick results. Our two-year conservatory is grounded in the Meisner Technique and is led by faculty who challenge you to grow. With classes in Acting, Voice, Movement, and Script Analysis, we focus on building real skill and character on stage and off.

If you’re ready to take the work seriously and commit fully, we’re here to train you. Call to schedule an interview today.

Conclusion

Acting values should be something you develop and continuously work to uphold over your career. They are the core of what makes your work and your career worth something. 

They guide how you handle stress, help shape your character, and influence the choices you make on and off the stage and screen. The importance of knowing your principles isn’t abstract. It’s rooted in a personal belief system. It affects your well-being, your relationships, and your ability to stay consistent in a demanding field.

Take time to reflect. Write things down. Think about what matters to you and how you want to show up in your work. The roles you say yes to, the people you choose to work with, and the way you behave in the process all carry weight.

In the end, acting isn’t only about talent. It’s about values. That’s what makes your work honest. That’s what people remember. That’s what builds a career with meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the core values of an actor?

An actor’s values are the personal principles that shape how they work, choose roles, and treat others. Integrity, discipline, empathy, and truth are essential. These values help actors stay grounded, face challenges, and bring honesty to their performances.

What are the 4 principles of acting?

Four core principles of acting are:

1. Listening – It’s the bedrock of acting. You aren’t an actor if you can’t.

2. Truthfully doing – Good actors do, bad actors indicate.

3. Imagination – It's the most important part of our creative instrument.

4. Discipline – This is work ethic, artistry, and attention to detail.

   
   

These principles support both craft and character development.

What are 5 interesting facts about actors?

1. Many actors work side jobs to support their training.

2. Rejection is constant and rarely personal.

3. Training continues even after success.

4. Good acting has nothing to do with memorization.

5. Body and voice training are essential if you want to be transformational.

   
   

Acting demands far more than talent—it takes craft, technique, and persistence.

What qualities make a good actor?

Good actors are well-trained, fully present, prepared, and emotionally available. They listen deeply, stay open to feeling, and commit fully to their process. Qualities like resilience, empathy, discipline, and vulnerability help them create meaningful, lasting work.

What is the importance of values in an actor's life?

Values shape the kind of work you do and the kind of person you become in the process. In acting and in life, your values influence how you treat others, face challenges, and respond to stress. They offer a sense of control and direction in a field that often feels unpredictable.

How can actors use reflection to grow?

Reflection helps you identify what’s working, what feels off, and where you need to grow. Taking time to write about your experiences and feelings can strengthen your sense of self and support long-term well-being. 

It’s a simple, powerful method to develop awareness and deepen your craft.

How does self-discovery support an actor’s growth?

Self-discovery helps actors connect more deeply to their roles by understanding their own feelings, beliefs, and habits. The more you know yourself, the more honest and layered your work becomes.

How can research and resources strengthen an actor’s values?

Using research and trusted resources allows actors to make informed choices that reflect their core values. It deepens your understanding of the work and gives you a strong foundation to act with clarity and purpose.