The Office’s Ellie Kemper Wows Wash U. Crowd

Kemper spoke Thursday before being the celebrity guest at COCAcabana Friday night.

It's not every day that a rising star claims to have peaked in high school, but The Office star and St. Louis native Ellie Kemper did just that. Kemper told guests at the Washington University Women’s Society Adele Starbird Lecture Thursday that the high point of her career was studying under Mad Man star Jon Hamm. Hamm taught at his alma mater John Burroughs School before heading for Hollywood. Kemper was one of Hamm's high school drama students. "The peak for me was in ninth grade performing for Mr. Hamm," Kemper laughingly told the crowd. She and Hamm were reunited last year as co-stars in the hit movie Bridesmaids. She described a relaxed atmosphere on the set.  "There were no egos, no vanity — it was just like hanging out with your …

• Videos (2)

Viewfinder

A Gala Evening in University City

COCAcabana and the Green Ball bring out an array of do-gooders to the Delmar Loop Friday night.

The starts were out Friday night on the Delmar Loop in supporting two great causes. The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) held its annual fundraiser, COCAcabana, at Washington University Music Center and the Green Ball was held at the Moonrise Hotel. COCAcabana 2012 COCAcabana is COCA's annual signature spring fundraiser. COCAcabana is known for its creative themes that are uniquely COCA.  Funds raised at COCAcabana support COCA's multidisciplinary programs including the COCA Family Theatre Series, educational classes and workshops in dance, music, drama, and visual arts for all ages, and contemporary art exhibits in the Millstone Gallery. This year's event featured celebrity guests and St. Louis natives Scott Foley, Ellie Kemper and Sarah …

• Photos (11)

COCAcabana Planners Seeking Help from Neighbors

COCA needs a two-hour noise waiver for its major fundraiser.

The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) is asking its University City neighbors for a little help to throw its biggest fundraiser of the year. Each spring, COCA holds a major event to raise funds for its educational and scholarship programs. This year's event, COCAcabana, is Friday, April 27. Organizers want the party to run from 6 to 11:30 p.m., but COCA needs a permit for amplified noise between the hours of 9:30 and 11:30. "We've spoken to the city and they've asked us to get the support of the community," said Beth McClure, COCA's director for marketing and communications. To that end, COCA has created a petition which it is asking its neighbors to sign in support of the one-time noise waiver. The petition, which can be found here, is open …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (2)