Gracious Dube is the Housekeeper, Space Manager, and Costume & Props Assistant for The Centre for the Less Good Idea.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Dube moved to South Africa in 2007. Following a few years of work as a waitress in Norwood, as well as housekeeping work through Sunshine Girls, Dube was introduced to The Centre for the Less Good Idea by its co-director, Bronwyn Lace.

Over the years, Dube’s role at The Centre has continued to grow and take on more shape, expanding from upkeep and maintenance of The Centre space, to working alongside artists and assisting with the design and sourcing of costumes and props for artists and performances.

Dube enjoys the collaborative and cross-disciplinary nature of The Centre, as well as the various artists and modes of performance she’s encountered throughout her years in the space. For Dube, working at The Centre requires one to adapt to the needs of the space and its many moving parts. As such, an average day can range from general upkeep and the clearing of the stage and spaces, to assisting as a sounding board or a stagehand for early iterations of a performance.

The ability to locate the intangible narratives and experiences of contemporary life through performance is something that strongly resonates with, and inspires Dube. She cites The Centre’s seemingly endless capacity for experimentation, generosity, and collaboration as crucial components to its success and distinctiveness as an incubator space for the arts.

PHOTOGRAPHER | Zivanai Matangi