Press Release from Roanoke county Public Library

Live Performance by Chicago-based Actress Debra Ann Miller

Roanoke County, VA (October 11, 2012) – Call upon Jane Austen in the autumn of 1815 at her home, Chawton Cottage. The author delights the audience with stories about the people and events that influenced her life. Drawing from her letters, youthful writings, and novels, Jane Austen speaks about her childhood in Steventon, her brothers and beloved sister Cassandra, and her writing. By the end of this 45-minute performance, the audience will know more about Miss Austen – the woman as well as the author. The performance is suitable for both the casual reader of her novels and the most devoted Janeite. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the performance.

Debra Ann Miller portrays Jane Austen in the most vibrant and hopeful time of Miss Austen’s life. Austen (1775-1817) was a popular English novelist whose better-known works include Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility.

Debra Ann has been an actress and voice-over talent for over 25 years. She has toured the country with Child’s Play Touring Theatre, Artreach, and the Reading is Fundamental program, as well as working in Chicago theatres including The Organic, Royal George, Noble Fool, and Victory Gardens. In 2004, Debra won the Best Actress award at the Chicago Indie Fest for her first film Zen Noir.

In addition to portraying Jane Austen, Debra is currently touring the country as Mary Todd Lincoln in With Lincoln Productions’ Visiting the Lincolns and Mrs. Lincoln’s Salon. Debra has been working as an historical impersonator for the last 15 years.

The performance is at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 at South County Library auditorium (6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke) and is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come basis with limited overflow seating available. Refreshments provided by The Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library will be served after the performance. Doors open at 6:00 p.m

Jane Austen Speaks is one of three 19^th century author performances hosted by the Roanoke County and Salem public libraries during Dead Authors Month. Mark Twain will be at South County on October 23 and Edgar Allan Poe, appropriately, on Halloween.