Heinz Poll (1926-2006).

Founder and director of the Ohio Ballet until 1999, Heinz Poll died in April in his Cleveland Heights home. Poll, with his late life partner Thomas R. Skelton, a lighting designer, began with a group of students in 1968 and forged a chamber company that evolved into a world-renowned troupe with distinctive 20th century works.

Born in Germany, Poll began his career at the Municipal Theater in Goettingen and in 1949 became a soloist with the Berlin State Opera Ballet. After clashing with the Communist government, he escaped by catching a train to West Berlin while still dressed in tights and ballet shoes. He then joined the National Ballet of Chile as a principal dancer, teacher, and choreographer, and was noted for his portrayal of the Standard Bearer in Jooss' Green Table. When invited to teach at the University of Akron, Poll started a new company called Chamber Ballet, which was renamed Ohio Ballet in 1976. Poll's passion for both ballet and modern dance led to a groundbreaking hybrid of repertoire. He acquired gems like Tudor's Dark Elegies and Jooss' Big City, and works by Paul Taylor, Laura Dean, and Pilobolus. He was also a prolific choreographer, creating more than 60 ballets. "Heinz wanted dancing to have a certain weight to it," said David Shimotakahara, who performed with Poll and is now the director of Groundworks Dancetheater. "He wanted a visceral quality to come through so that audiences would not only see the work, but also feel it."