The Squad
Bryana Hall
Bride
Bryana (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Metro Detroit. She met John while working on a (really terrible) musical, and was immediately smitten. She went to the University of Michigan, where she studied Social Computing Informatics (with a focus in Human-Computer Interaction) and Vocal Performance. She currently works as a data analyst for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and as an actor in musical theatre at venues all around Michigan. She is so excited to marry John, she can barely stand it.
John Sloan III
Groom
John (he/him/his) is also a Detroit native, and studied Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). He is the founder and CEO of GhostLight Creative Productions, Incorporated. John is also the Producing Artistic Director of the Obsidian Theatre Festival, which puts Black stories on a new stage, by presenting them both live and filmed, ensuring greater access to new plays and musicals. He can't wait to marry the love of his life, and see where their adventures together take them next!
Kyle Hall
Man of Honor
Kyle (he/him/his) is Bryana's brother, her day one, ride-or-die, and chief fashion consultant. Anyone who's ever met Bryana has heard at least one story about how much she loves Kyle. She can't think of anyone better to stand next to her. It's true she found her man, but a girl still needs her brother!
Justin Sloan
Best Man
Justin (he/him/his) is John's brother. The cool brother. And the built-in best friend. These two have been through everything together, and John is honored to have Justin serve as Best Man.
Lauren Cornwell
Bridesmaid
Lauren (she/her/hers) and Bryana met doing a community theatre production of Aida. Lauren was somehow in the cast, and making costumes by hand, even though she hadn't yet learned how to sew. Bryana, naturally, thought she was magical and decided to befriend her. It was a good decision.
Eli Zoller
Best Man
Eli (he/him/his) and John met in college and were fast friends. They made a pact to be each other's best men, and John did act in that capacity at Eli's wedding. It's so exciting that Eli gets to do the same for John.
Mariel Moorer
Bridesmaid
Mariel (she/her/hers) lived in the dorm room across the hall from Bryana. It's safe to say they were instant friends, after Mariel helped an overwhelmed Bryana to move in. They are living proof that West Quad is the Best Quad.
Jessica Sloan
Groomswoman
Jessica (she/her/hers) is John's youngest sibling, and John often credits her with teaching him how to love deeply. There's nothing John wouldn't do for his baby sister, and so he's delighted to have her stand next to him on his big day!
Tea Montgomery
Bridesmaid
Tea (she/her/hers) met Bryana doing a production of Charlie and the Chocolate factory, but it was really the production of Rent they did a few years later that bonded them together for life! From making terrible movies to eating White Castle on New Years' Eve, these two have done it all.
Russell Joel Brown
Groomsman
Russell (he/him/his) met John on tour with The Lion King, and quickly became a mentor and close friend. These two have seen the country together, and have maintained a deep bond, even after the tour closed.
Erin Reid-Schnute
Bridesmaid
Erin (she/her/hers) has been one of Bryana's nearest and dearest since the first. day. of. high school! Talk about going way back! Luckily for them, neither one of them peaked in high school, and neither did their friendship. They are still going strong, and when their friendship is finally old enough to drink, they'll do a champagne toast to over two decades of love!
Joshua Cashman
Groomsman
Josh (he/him/his) and John met on the Lion King National Tour. Fun fact, John actually officiated Josh's wedding...after attending the bachelor party, of course.
Alexis Smith
Bridesmaid
Alexis (she/her/hers) has been friends with Bryana since freshman year of college. They often debate over who picked who out of the crowd, and said "I want to be besties with that girl!" But one thing they can agree on, whoever thought that had the right idea!
Curtis Renee
Groomsperson
Curtis (they/them/theirs) connected with John over their shared passion for activism and their shared love of good food. These two are always cooking up something in the kitchen, and chatting about solving the world's toughest problems as they do it.
Edmund Jones
Officiant
Edmund (he/him/his) is John's friend from college (Go Blue!), but the first time he met Bryana, they talked all night, and left John in the corner by himself! Since we couldn't decide whose side to put him on, he'll be standing in the middle.