The objective, according to a press statement, is to "establish a professional theater uptown that will rank among the best in the country and to produce bold theatrical works that express the true history, culture, and diversity of America."

A management team headed by Eugene Nesmith, founding artistic director, has been formed to "build and sustain a vibrant cultural institution in partnership with CCNY that will offer a home for the best emerging modern theater imaginable." In this new theatre company, "emerging professional actors from the CCNY community will work alongside the most daring, imaginative, and creative artists in their field on a high professional level."

New Haarlem Arts Theatre (NHAT) will produce James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie, directed by Eugene Nesmith, NHAT's founder and artistic director, June 23-July 17; and the musical revue, It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues, directed by Alfred Preisser, co-founder and former artistic director of the Classical Theatre of Harlem, July 27-Aug. 21.

Performances will play Theatre B of Aaron Davis Hall, located at W. 135th Street and Convent Avenue. Both productions will run Thursdays-Saturdays at 7 PM with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets are $25-15; call (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.

NHAT will also serve as a community anchor to unite students and local residents in a range of programming that will address "the professional and educational aspirations of the unique and culturally essential neighborhood that is Harlem." For more information visit http://newhaarlemartstheatre.org.