Identity is one of the cornerstones of American society, yet very often it is all too easy to dismiss a key aspect of someone's persona and physical/psychological image: Their hair.

Hair is not as superficial as it might seem - how you wear it, what color it is, even what kind of hair you have is an inherent characteristic of who you are. For a lot of people, hair is the first thing you notice on a person. Having a bad hair day can not only affect your mood but the mood of everyone around you - spot judgments on appearance have the heaviest immediate influence on attraction, trust, respect, work ethic and intelligence.

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, artistic director and choreographer for Urban Bush Women, understands all these implications. For her new piece, Hair Stories, Ms. Zollar took inventory of all the issues surrounding one of the most distinguished hair types there is - African American "nappy" hair: The constant maintenance. The different care products and processes. Societal preferences on straight hair vs. nappy, color and so on. She then transformed her notes, interviews, personal experience and artistic drive into a multimedia adventure that uses dance, video and spoken word to address her belief that there is more to hair than fashion. There is identity.

"I wanted to bring hair into a political arena... For African Americans it is a bigger subject [than fashion]." Those with nappy locks will certainly find sympathy with the off-beat interpretation of individuality - a decidedly political arena. But even those with straight mops, curly curls or any other hair type will find Hair Stories more fun than a trip to the barber, because within Ms. Zollar's recognition of individuality is also a call to unity - that we all can reevaluate our preferences and positions on hair and begin to see the person underneath. In other words, no matter your look, Hair Stories is destined to be a perfect do!

Urban Bush Women will perform Hair Stories Tuesday & Wednesday, March 5 & 6, at 8PM, in the Kirby Theatre, Amherst College. Hair Stories is a collaboration between Residential Arts and New WORLD Theater. For tickets and more information call 413-545-2511 or 1-800-999-UMAS.