Macy's is hosting a month-long series of activities and special events for Black History Month, showcasing black culture through theatrical, art, song, prose and cuisine presentations. The events are free and open to the public.

Macy's Brooklyn (422 Fulton Street, Main Floor) will host a panel on Feb. 12 at 12:30 PM which will include NEC co-founder and Day of Absence author/director Douglas Turner Ward, The First Breeze of Summer playwright Leslie Lee, Zooman and the Sign director Stephen McKinley Henderson, The First Breeze of Summer actress Marva Hicks and Zooman and the Sign actor Amari Cheatom.

Macy's Herald Square (151 West 34th Street, 3rd Floor) will host a panel on Feb. 25 at 6 PM, which will include Leslie Lee, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Zooman and the Sign playwright Charles Fuller, in addition to actors to be announced from Signature's 2008-09 Season.

Macy's is displaying photos and costumes from Signature's 2008-09 productions in a store window.

NEC has an extensive theatre training program, and in its 40 year history has produced more than 200 new plays. The NEC's alumni include writers such as Steve Carter, Lonne Elder, Charles Fuller, Leslie Lee and Samm-Art Williams, and actors Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Samuel L. Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Esther Rolle and Denzel Washington. Signature's production of Charles Fuller's Zooman and the Sign, directed by Stephen McKinley Henderson, is currently in rehearsal. The production begins performances on March 3 and opens March 24 at The Peter Norton Space, 555 West 42nd Street. Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-PLAY (7529) or visiting signaturetheatre.org.