Halabja artist balances teaching, tailoring, and theater ahead of festival debut

HALABJA — Turan Umed, a graduate of the Fine Arts Institute’s theater department, is juggling multiple roles as a teacher, dress designer, and stage actress, all while preparing for an upcoming performance at the International Theater Festival in Kirkuk.

Umed teaches foundational art at Sharazoor Basic Education School and is a member of the Kurdistan Artists Syndicate in Halabja. Outside the classroom, she has spent the past decade designing and tailoring bridal gowns — a passion she turned into a business.

“Although this field is very different from my own, I managed to succeed and stay consistent. I made it my independent work,” she told 964media.

Her shop offers both ready-made and custom bridal wear, with some clients requesting fully personalized service. “Some people want me to handle their entire order personally. We prepare everything according to what the bride and groom want,” she said.

Umed is also a wife and mother of one. Despite her full schedule, she said the support of her family, especially her husband, has been essential. “If it weren’t for their support. It would be difficult to keep going,” she said.

Now, she’s preparing for the November theater festival in Kirkuk, where she and her colleagues will present a play titled Zaru.