FOR the past year, Keisha Patterson has been one of the busiest actresses in local theatre.

Patterson, more known as a jazz and cabaret singer, has appeared in three productions — Keiran King’s Mr & Mrs Blacke, David Tulloch’s Wine and Roses and Paternal Instinct.

Tonight, the curtains will rise on Ladies of The Night, Jambiz International’s newest play and the fourth featuring Patterson who plays Sugar, a prostitute.

Acting is nothing new to Patterson, who began on stage at a young age with the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company and later Ashe, the popular performing arts ensemble.

Given her current acting schedule, it begs the question: Is Keisha Patterson giving up music for acting?

“For me it’s a return to where I started, and I have always wanted to get more involved in acting despite a love for music… the truth is, both will always be a part of me,” Patterson tells Splash.

She admits that the rigorous schedule of the Jambiz production does not allow her much time for music.

“Right now, with Ladies of The Night, there can’t be a balance. We will play six days a week, and so right now this show is my life. Music is on the back burner, including work on my next album, which is almost finished.”

Patterson says the album, which follows 2008’s Sunday Kind of Love, will be different from her debut, which featured her take on jazz standards.

“It’s an upbeat album featuring original work, some dance tracks and very different material,” she shares.

With opening night looming, Patterson says she and her castmates are ready to bring playwright Patrick Brown’s latest work to life. She notes that playing a prostitute in this production has opened her eyes about ‘the world’s oldest profession’.

“The play shows the human side of the women we just pass on the streets at night. We get an understanding of their struggles, pain, joy and just everything that makes them just like everybody else,” she says.