Small Business Series: Shayna Survil @ Eclipse Productions

​The heart of the Eclipse Productions Company is a mission deeply rooted in opportunity, accessibility, and artistic growth; and helping bring that vision to life is Shayna Survil, the organization’s Development Director. Based in Bloomington, Eclipse Productions was founded in 2023 by three artists who met while working on a production in Brown County. What began as a shared creative experience quickly evolved into something ambitious: the creation of a theater company designed to fill a space they felt was missing. Shayna joined the company’s first full season in 2024, stepping into a role that would prove to be both demanding and very meaningful.
 
Eclipse Productions was created with a clear purpose: to serve as a stepping-stone for performers and artists sailing the path between community theaters and more professional-level productions. Rather than competing with larger, established theaters, Eclipse purposefully makes opportunities for those who may not have access to those stages quite yet. The company shows three shows per year, each of which involves months of rehearsal and a focused two-week run. Alternatively, to traditional theaters, Eclipse prioritizes productions with meaningful themes, resisting the pressure to choose shows solely based on ticket sales. 

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The organization’s philosophy flows through accessibility. Unlike traditional theaters, Eclipse performances are priced at just $10; a deliberate decision to eliminate financial barriers and invite all to participate in the arts. For Shayna, this approach reflects something larger than pricing strategy. It represents a belief that theater should be welcoming, not exclusive. That same mindset carries over into the company’s creative atmosphere, where interactive lobby environments, themed pre-show experiences, and audience engagement are all designed to foster connection before the curtain even rises.
 
As Development Director, Shayna plays a critical role in sustaining the company’s mission. Responsible for fundraising, donor relationships, community outreach, and partnership building, she stepped into the position without prior development experience. With what she lacked in formal training, she made up for it with determination, curiosity, and unstoppable networking. Through involvement with local organizations and deliberate relationship-building, she learned the mechanics of non-profit development while simultaneously helping shape Eclipse’s long-term business model. A central goal that guides her work is building a structure strong enough for the company to outlive its founders. Establishing board leadership and financial stability to ensure longevity.
 
Shayna’s commitment to Eclipse requires extraordinary effort. She works 60 to 70 hours per week, balancing her responsibilities at Eclipse’s with a part-time role in healthcare and graduate studies in Applied Behavior Analysis through Purdue Global. While she plans to pursue a career in behavior therapy upon completing her master’s degree, theater remains a strong passion. Live performance has been part of her life since eighth grade, and she continues to be drawn to the immediacy of the stage; the energy exchange between actors and audience, the absence of retakes, and the singularity of each performance.
 
Shayna’s personal philosophy mirrors the resilience required in both theater and entrepreneurship. Her leading mantras: “Fall down seven times, get up eight” and “I can’t go back; I can only go forward,” represent a mindset composed of momentum and adaptability. She believes success, whether it’s in nonprofit leadership or business, ultimately comes down to human connection. Showing up consistently, introducing yourself confidently, and building relationships manufactured by authenticity. Energetic, outgoing, and unapologetically herself, Shayna approaches her work with a warm blend of drive and resilience.
 
In many ways, Eclipse Productions exhibits Shayna’s belief about the role of the arts in a community. For Shayna, theater is not simply entertainment. It is a welcoming space, a catalyst for conversation, and a path for shared experiences. Through accessibility, friendly storytelling, and authentic connection, she doesn’t see Eclipse as just a theater company, but as a force for building community in Bloomington; one performance, one partnership, and one audience at a time. ​