I used to think that if I wanted to watch a quality dance performance in Lawrence, my only options were to go see something at the Lied Center or check out the latest works by Kansas University’s dance department. It never really occurred to me to go see local dance performances because it just didn’t seem like there were any Lawrence dance groups.

Luckily, I’m completely wrong about this, something that was made clear Friday night at the Lawrence Arts Center when the 940 dance company marked its one-year anniversary as a resident ensemble with a repertoire that was everything one wants modern dance to be: startling, spontaneous and, most importantly, fearlessly creative.

The New Works Concert featured nine pieces, five of which were created by artistic director Susan Warden, who draws from a rich history of experience as an award-winning choreographer in Kansas City. The other four were choreographed by different dancers in the group and revealed a diverse range of expression.

Several selections really stood out, including the opener, “House of Yesterday’s Events,” by Tuesday Faust, one of the company’s strongest dancers.

Though technical difficulties with projectors removed one key visual aspect of this work’s delivery, it remained hypnotic and beautiful, with Faust untangling herself from a veil of plastic as if she were moving underwater and wandering in and out of time, rediscovering herself with clean, angular movements that told a story of remembering.

Faust also captured the evening in Warden’s work, “Forced,” a disturbing and arresting piece that seemed to be about rape, with Faust clutching her body and protecting her lower torso with clenched hands as her hair whipped sharply around her face. It was painful and beautiful to watch, an experience accentuated by wretched, chaotic music.

Kathleen O’Connor’s “say the watchers” was another exciting work, with dancer Michael Ingle fighting off some sort of misfortune while three saving graces (O’Connor, Whitney Bloomer and guest artist Rachel Moses) looked on from above, eventually descending ladders to rescue his broken body (and spirit?).

This work ended memorably with a visual flourish of hands opening and releasing a shower of white petals onto the stage.

Warden’s explosive “Bang” was another great moment, with six dancers throwing themselves into a series of energy-driven, extremely athletic movements. Their momentum hinted at America’s relentless work ethic, the daily grind as a flying, physical procession.

In the midst of these triumphs, it’s clear that things are still developing and perhaps could be reined in a little. Though admirable in its attempts to express various themes, Bridget Bartholome’s “dona nobis pacem” was perhaps a bit too cerebral for its own good, with a series of disconnected occurrences (cloth being pulled out of dancers’ mouths, blinding lights, random singing) that didn’t quite come together enough to be compelling.

That said, the 940 dance company has a permanent place not only at the Lawrence Arts Center, but in the hearts of local dance lovers, if the New Works Concert is indicative of this group’s creative potential.

– Becca Ramspott is a freelance writer covering the arts in Lawrence. She can be reached at bramspott@sunflower.com.