Storyteller and actress Patricia Hruby Powell is coming to Eastern Thursday night to impersonate three women authors.

Powell will perform “An Evening with Jane Austen, Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson” at 7:30 p.m. in the Coleman Hall Auditorium, Room 1255.

Stephanie Ernst, president of Sigma Tau Delta, an English student honorary, requested Powell to come to Eastern after seeing her perform at the Illinois Association of Teacher’s Conference.

“(Powell) puts on a really great performance,” Ernst, a junior English major, said. “She does a great job of conveying the writer’s mindsets.”

During her Eastern performance, Powell will first become Jane Austen, writing her novel, “Emma”, Ernst said.

Next she will portray Emily Bronte after the publication of her novel, “Wuthering Heights”.

Finally, Powell will imitate Emily Dickinson, writing her famous poetry in old New England, Ernst said.

“These authors are portrayed because they broke the mold of standard literature in their time,” she said.

“(Powell) literally becomes these authors,” Ernst said. “She is very talented.”

Powell began touring internationally in 1976.

She holds a master’s degree in dance and library science and is also a dancer, mime and an author, Ernst said.

The event is co-sponsored by the English department, the Women’s Advocacy Council and Sigma Tau Delta and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Admission is free and open to the public.