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Anika Noni Rose, one of Broadway's brightest budding talents, bursts into full bloom in the film "Dream girls," which opens in Tallahassee and other cities nationwide on Christmas Day.

The blossom of her craft has roots that sprouted at Florida A&M, tended by such theatrical horticulturists as FAMU Essential Theatre's Valencia Matthews and Luther Wells.

Rose, who graduated from FAMU in 1994, plays Lorrell Robinson, one of the trio of Motown-like singers at the heart of the cinematic adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Her co-stars include such luminaries as Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and Danny Glover.

The thing I remember most about Anika is that she has always been very driven and very ambitious,

Matthews said. "She knew that she wanted to do what she's doing now at the level she's doing it, and she moved forward towards that goal.

Anika was a very bright student. She would do all the production work (for Essential Theatre) as required, as well as her academic work.

Rose grew up in Connecticut but was connected to Tallahassee through her grandmother, who lived here. She still maintains ties to her FAMU friends and mentors. Matthews spoke with her after Rose won a Tony award in 2004 for her portrayal of Emmie Thibodeaux, the willful teenage daughter of the title character in Tony Kushner's musical "Caroline, or Change."