Paula Laurence began her acting career in Orson Welles' Federal Theatre Project production of Horse Eats Hat in 1937. Other Off-Broadway credits include productions at City Center and the Phoenix Theatre Company. Regionally, she acted at the Westport Country Playhouse, run by her husband, producer and director Charles Bowden, who produced many of Tennessee Williams’ plays. After Williams' death, the Bowdens became the guardians of the playwright's institutionalized sister, Rose Williams.