In a city like Los Angeles, the tales of battered wives reach the headlines, with famous women like Tina Turner and Nicole Simpson. Theatre of Hope for Abused Women (T.H.A.W.) announces the first in a series of six monthly events, taking place June 30 at the American Renegade Theatre Company in North Hollywood. Light refreshments will be served while audiences witness a staged reading of works by survivors of domestic violence, performed by authors and professional actresses. T.H.A.W. Co-director Leslie de Beauvais explains their mission, "With the guidance of our Clinical Advisory Board, we are designing a program of classes in creative expression for all aspects of theatre for the ultimate re-establishment of self-esteem in the many women in our community who have suffered physical or emotional abuse."

Following the June 30 event, the last Sunday of each month will offer tea, plays, prose and poetry, beginning at 4 PM. On December 2, T.H.A.W. plans to stage a reading of a major dramatic work on the subject of domestic violence performed by a celebrity cast at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.

T.H.A.W. staged performances run at the American Renegade Theatre Company June 30, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 29, Oct. 27, and Nov. 24, from 4 - 6:30 PM. Tickets are $5. For more info and reservations, call (818) 7634430.