Are you ready to discover yourself beyond who you know yourself to be?

Then THE MAX is for you.


THE MAX is a voyage through your own humanity. A journey to discover the extent of your self-expressive power.


Working "alone", on stage, you're encouraged and supported to go at your own pace.


Exploring the sources of your emotional limitations.


You'll move through lifelong fears, strongly held beliefs and what's between you and being present now.


This is an opportunity to experience yourself in ways you may have only dreamed about.


A WARNING...


...this course is for those committed to and courageous in their process.


If you heart beats faster when you think of taking THE MAX, it may be the thing to do!

The Details

The Format

THE MAX is usually presented in a 5 day 

  • Day 1 & 2- 10:00am to  midnight 
  • Day 3 - 10:00am to 6:00pm
  • Day 4 - 8:30pm to midnight
  • Day 5 - 9:00 am to Noon 

The workshop has also been done in 2 & 4 day formats and can be adjusted

The Content

  • Experiencing what’s between you and “being here”, fully alive in the present moment with people.
  • Taking on role-playing assignments that free the unexpressed aspects of your personality.
  • Pressing your emotional limits to reawaken sources of power and passion you’ve shut down.
  • Engaging with group members in the dynamics of co-creation and spontaneous play.
  • Embracing the notion of taking responsibility for life on its own moment-to-moment-what’s-true-now-like-it-or-not terms and self generating from there.

The Requirements

  • You need to prepare a 2-3 minute memorized piece. e.g. a monologue, speech, poem or a song. IT MUST BE MEMORIZED AND IT CANNOT BE MORE THAN 3 MINUTES!
  • Bring clothes of different sorts to play with.
  • You must attend all sessions

The Format

THE MAX is usually presented in a 5 day 

  • Day 1 & 2- 10:00am to  midnight 
  • Day 3 - 10:00am to 6:00pm
  • Day 4 - 8:30pm to midnight
  • Day 5 - 9:00 am to Noon 

The Content

  • Experiencing what’s between you and “being here”, fully alive in the present moment with people.
  • Taking on role-playing assignments that free the unexpressed aspects of your personality.
  • Pressing your emotional limits to reawaken sources of power and passion you’ve shut down.
  • Engaging with group members in the dynamics of co-creation and spontaneous play.
  • Embracing the notion of taking responsibility for life on its own moment-to-moment-what’s-true-now-like-it-or-not terms and self generating from there.

Upcoming MAX Workshops

Date

TBD

Location

The Esalen Institute - Big Sur, California

To Register

Your Guide

Hi, I'm Paula,

For over 40 years, I have been a professional actor, a master teacher of acting and a leader of self-expression courses for non-actors.

I have taught courses in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

I'm a protégé of the legendary actress, teacher, writer & director Uta Hagen, and a lifetime member/moderator of the Actor's Studio.

Many years ago Werner Erhard trained me in self-expression, and I have lead many workshops, including THE MAX, since then.

I am grateful for Werner's training in my life as I know the difference it has made for me.

CAL ARTS, the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute of Los Angelas and at the Esalen Institute are some the places I've been lucky enough to teach at.

Currently, I act, write and teach in Vancouver and Los Angeles.

If you have any questions about the course, please fill in the contact us form, and I'll get right back to you.

You can also see a video about THE MAX and listen to a podcast I did below.

With Love,
Paula

Testimonials

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When I first took The MAX I was a 23 year old girl exploring what it meant to be out in the world beyond schooling. I was fighting my own demons about entering the job force, living in a big city (NY), my mother (and best friend) having cancer and much more. When I read back over my old notes I am constantly reminded that I am alive and strong and that I am who I am! I lost my mother about 3 months after taking The MAX, I collapsed. My world had come crashing down and I did not get off the couch for about 6 months…until I got an email from Matt telling me to get my butt back out to Esalen for The MAX. Being back in that room gave me the strength to pick up the pieces of my life…Thank you for your work, love, support and constant reminder that I am me and I am the only one that has the power to choose my destiny. I am forever grateful for being a part of this group of incredible beings.

Vivian Stein - Farmer Teacher

The MAX provided a place where I could skip so far out of my familiar, comfortable ways of being that I could experience what it is like on the other side of my limits, reaching the edge I’ve always been afraid of stepping over.

Dina Stansbury - Retired Children's Librarian

The Max is like an epiphany. It can’t be articulated. It can only be experienced. The results are amazing.

July Ono - President OTBEC Group

Take the risk you are worth it!

To try to describe it would be to not do it justice. The process takes you towards who you were really meant to be, it stays with you through every moment of your day. Take the risk you are worth it!

Mike Dennet - Managing Director MCR Property Management LTD.

It takes public speaking out of first place as my worst fear and puts death back where it belongs.

Miles Sumter - Actor

The MAX is not a destination, it is the beginning of a journey to authenticity.

Geoff - Journeying Scientist

She teaches people to be leaders in their own lives.

Ted Danson - Actor, Emmy Award Winner "Cheers"

I did the workshop with Paula in 1982 and I’m still getting value from it today. Through life’s many challenges, it’s my own authenticity that gives me power to risk and that allows me to make my unique contributions. Either I run my fear or it’s going to run me. Thanks, Paula.

Sharon Mason - International Award Winning Realtor

A course that puts one at the centre of their own creativity…allows one to come fact to face with where one stops, and to find a way into a new creative place… The principles Paula taught me still serve me today. I received an Academy Award nomination and I really believe I owe a lot of it to Paula.

Bruce Davison - Actor - Academy Award Nominee "Long Time Companion"

The MAX is the most dynamic workshop I’ve been involved in. The whole weekend was an incredible experience in which I was able to clearly see the blocks to my personal progress. Since taking the MAX I’ve been more focused had more energy and experienced a lot more joy in life.

Al Mason - Unlicensed Assistant and Administrator

Paula Interviews

video credit Jens Wazel

Get in Communication

Contact Us

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Register for upcoming workshops

Date

TBD

Location

The Esalen Institute - Big Sur, California

To Register