The academy, taking on the role of producer for the first time in 20 years, and the venerable Old Vic have agreed to produce two plays a year for three years, The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) said Tuesday. The Bridge Project venture will use a joint company of British and American actors who will perform at the Brooklyn Academy, the Old Vic and at least one other international venue.

Setting a high standard for the productions, the academy said they are bringing in director Sam Mendes for the cooperative effort. His first-season efforts will be "Hamlet" and "The Tempest" in 2008. They will be staged in Brooklyn from January to March and at the Old Vic in May and June. Sandwiched between those runs, the plays will be performed at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan, Italy.

The second year, Mendes will direct "The Winter's Tale" and "The Cherry Orchard." The third year's plays and other international theaters have yet to be announced.