Meet 9 of New York City’s Coolest Dads

A lifelong theater buff, Darren worked as a producer at Second City in Chicago and managing director for an Off-Broadway theater before joining Symphony Space eight years ago. Critz, who lives in Cold Spring, New York, with his wife and daughter, Regan, six, loves curating and producing Symphony Space's Just Kidding program because he feels strongly that childhood is an important time for kids to be exposed to different kinds of music. It also helps that he gets to bring Regan with him to work (she’s currently having fun taking tickets from the audience and will soon help out on sound checks). "The program gives kids the opportunity to expand their musical horizons in one place," he says. "Plus, I love seeing dads interacting with their kids." A typical day in the city includes anything from seeing a show to going to museums. "Regan loves exploring so we’ll come to town to try new foods," he says. "We always have a ball."

Biggest personal accomplishment: "I put a lot of work into being a dad. I’m not perfect, but I feel like I don't have any regrets yet. And, even though I have a really long commute to work, I love that I get up with my daughter and spend time with her at the beginning and end of each day. That time with her is really important to me."

Biggest professional accomplishment: "I’m kind of an emotional guy so when I see parents reacting to what's happening on stage as part of the Just Kidding series, that we've programmed something that has made a difference, it makes me feel great."