Friday, February 27, 2026
7:00 pm
Venue and Additional Details To Be Announced
***
Honoree
Eric Gewirtz
Arts Education Leadership Award
Lauren Foster-Holzer
Christine Nelson
***
DJ -- Drinks -- Dinner -- Raffles
This HEARTS tradition helps raise money for our mission to
enhance, support, and promote the arts and arts experiences
in our public schools and the Port Washington community!
If you're not able to join us in-person, please make a donation
to support our organization and further our work in the community.
enhance, support, and promote the arts and arts experiences
in our public schools and the Port Washington community!
If you're not able to join us in-person, please make a donation
to support our organization and further our work in the community.
TICKETS / DIGITAL JOURNAL / SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Available January 2026
ABOUT THE HONOREES
Eric Gewirtz
Eric Gewirtz is committed to making his community better through arts accessibility and engagement. He has proudly served on the HEARTS PW Board since 2017 and led the organization as Board President from 2020-2025. During his five-year tenure as President, Eric worked closely with the Board to navigate the Covid pandemic and advance the organization's work and impact at uncertain time, recruited new members, and significantly expanded the total grants awarded year over year. He also raised the nonprofit's profile by amplifying its work throughout the Port Washington community through strategic and fun storytelling.
Eric's passion for the arts began early, with museum visits and Broadway shows fostering a lifelong commitment to cultural engagement. He grew up in nearby Roslyn, and started playing drums at age 5—a passion that continues today. He earned degrees in journalism and percussion performance from Arizona State University, which launched his career in arts PR and communications. Over the last 20 years, Eric has supported major arts organizations including the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center. He is now a Senior Vice President at Rubenstein Communications, working with arts organizations and nonprofits worldwide.
Eric continues serving on the HEARTS PW Board, leading PortFest and overseeing communications. He is grateful for his fellow Board members' dedication to the organization's mission, and his family's love and steadfast support of his commitment to the arts in Port Washington.
Eric's passion for the arts began early, with museum visits and Broadway shows fostering a lifelong commitment to cultural engagement. He grew up in nearby Roslyn, and started playing drums at age 5—a passion that continues today. He earned degrees in journalism and percussion performance from Arizona State University, which launched his career in arts PR and communications. Over the last 20 years, Eric has supported major arts organizations including the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center. He is now a Senior Vice President at Rubenstein Communications, working with arts organizations and nonprofits worldwide.
Eric continues serving on the HEARTS PW Board, leading PortFest and overseeing communications. He is grateful for his fellow Board members' dedication to the organization's mission, and his family's love and steadfast support of his commitment to the arts in Port Washington.
Lauren Foster-Holzer
Lauren Foster-Holzer is a dedicated educator and has directed the musical productions and produced the drama productions for Schreiber Theatre Company for the past 17 years, alongside Christine Nelson. As a proud alumna of the Port Washington School District, Lauren performed in many Schreiber theatrical productions, as well as Port Summer Shows. Lauren is a current resident of Port Washington, and has built deep roots in the community. She is committed to creating an inclusive, inspiring environment where students can grow as performers and as people.
Earning a BA in Communication with a minor in Theater from SUNY Albany, Lauren began her career in Port schools at Weber as a paraprofessional, as she pursued her graduate degree at LIU Post. In 2007, Lauren accepted a position as a Special Education teacher at Schreiber. In addition to directing/producing annual productions and guiding countless students through the joys and challenges of theater, Lauren also serves as an advisor for Schreiber’s Student Council, and is a coach of the Portettes.
Lauren has always strived to foster an environment of collaboration and creativity, shaping meaningful educational and artistic experiences that resonate long after the final curtain call. She is grateful to be able to do what she loves and feels truly fortunate to be honored by HEARTS, an incredible organization that has been such a valued supporter of Schreiber Theatre Company.
Earning a BA in Communication with a minor in Theater from SUNY Albany, Lauren began her career in Port schools at Weber as a paraprofessional, as she pursued her graduate degree at LIU Post. In 2007, Lauren accepted a position as a Special Education teacher at Schreiber. In addition to directing/producing annual productions and guiding countless students through the joys and challenges of theater, Lauren also serves as an advisor for Schreiber’s Student Council, and is a coach of the Portettes.
Lauren has always strived to foster an environment of collaboration and creativity, shaping meaningful educational and artistic experiences that resonate long after the final curtain call. She is grateful to be able to do what she loves and feels truly fortunate to be honored by HEARTS, an incredible organization that has been such a valued supporter of Schreiber Theatre Company.
Christine Nelson
Christine Nelson is a dedicated educator, director, and theater professional who has contributed to theatre arts education in the Port Washington school district for many years. Christine has served the Paul D. Schreiber High School community, not only as a Science Teacher (Honors & Regents Chemistry) but also as one of the creative co-leaders for Schreiber Theatre Company.
Before her time at Schreiber, Christine served as a Lead Teacher for Arts in Education for Nassau County BOCES. Outside of school, Christine has performed in various professional and community productions and is a founding member of the Alchemist Improv comedy troupe. Christine received her BA from Lafayette College and holds a MA in Educational Theater from New York University where she served as a teaching fellow. In addition, she studied acting and directing at the National Theatre Institute.
Christine is grateful for the recognition HEARTS PW is giving to the creative leadership of the Schreiber Theatre Company and is proud to support the creative journeys of students in Port Washington.
Christine is being recognized alongside Lauren Foster-Holzer, for their unique and extensive partnership that has lasted almost 20 years. Their work is defined by collaboration: Christine directs the plays that Lauren Foster-Holzer produces and Christine produces the musicals that Lauren Foster-Holzer directs.
Stage Plays
● Sense & Sensibility, Peter & the Starcatcher, The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe, The Giver, Puffs, Clue, A Christmas Story, Radium Girls, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Our Town, Almost Maine, Peter Pan & Wendy, The Children’s Hour, Rumors, Our Country’s Good, Little Women, The Dining Room, and It’s a Wonderful Life
Musicals
● Guys & Dolls, Footloose, Cinderella, Addams Family, High School Musical, Newsies, Chicago Teen Edition, The Little Mermaid, Crazy for You, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Anything Goes, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress, Seussical, Beauty & the Beast, The Secret Garden, Curtains, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
Before her time at Schreiber, Christine served as a Lead Teacher for Arts in Education for Nassau County BOCES. Outside of school, Christine has performed in various professional and community productions and is a founding member of the Alchemist Improv comedy troupe. Christine received her BA from Lafayette College and holds a MA in Educational Theater from New York University where she served as a teaching fellow. In addition, she studied acting and directing at the National Theatre Institute.
Christine is grateful for the recognition HEARTS PW is giving to the creative leadership of the Schreiber Theatre Company and is proud to support the creative journeys of students in Port Washington.
Christine is being recognized alongside Lauren Foster-Holzer, for their unique and extensive partnership that has lasted almost 20 years. Their work is defined by collaboration: Christine directs the plays that Lauren Foster-Holzer produces and Christine produces the musicals that Lauren Foster-Holzer directs.
Stage Plays
● Sense & Sensibility, Peter & the Starcatcher, The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe, The Giver, Puffs, Clue, A Christmas Story, Radium Girls, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Our Town, Almost Maine, Peter Pan & Wendy, The Children’s Hour, Rumors, Our Country’s Good, Little Women, The Dining Room, and It’s a Wonderful Life
Musicals
● Guys & Dolls, Footloose, Cinderella, Addams Family, High School Musical, Newsies, Chicago Teen Edition, The Little Mermaid, Crazy for You, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Anything Goes, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress, Seussical, Beauty & the Beast, The Secret Garden, Curtains, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
2026 RED PARTY COMMITTEE
Nissa Fine, chair
Andy Bly
Mardi Braun
Abby Chromy
Nita Ertel
Diana Gendron
Eric Gewirtz
Michele Posner Goldman
Brittny Knight
Leyalanny Mata
Sheri Suzzan
Beth Weisburd
Melissa Campanelli Williams
Andy Bly
Mardi Braun
Abby Chromy
Nita Ertel
Diana Gendron
Eric Gewirtz
Michele Posner Goldman
Brittny Knight
Leyalanny Mata
Sheri Suzzan
Beth Weisburd
Melissa Campanelli Williams
