Founder of the Iowa State Players in 1914 and advocated to provide students with opportunities to participate in a variety of plays, among other positions.
Fredrica Van Trice Shattuck, affectionately known as “Freddie,” was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, on November 11, 1883, to George Luther and Ann (Raymer) Shattuck. After the family moved to Medford, Wisconsin, Shattuck developed an interest in theatre from touring companies that would put on performances in the small town.1 She went on to receive her BA in drama from the University of Wisconsin in 1905.
Shattuck came to Iowa State College (now University) in 1907, where she served as an instructor of public speaking until 1913. She was then promoted to Assistant Professor (1913-1914), Associate Professor (1914-1916), and Professor (1916-1969). She then served as head of the Department of Public Speaking from 1916-1931.2 After that, she devoted most of her time to teaching.3 The approach to teaching speech changed over the course of the years, and Shattuck was known to say, “There is still need for fundamentals of speech production and voice delivery.”4 She retired from teaching in 1956, at which time she became librarian of the browsing library in the Memorial Union, which opened in April of that year.5
During her career, Shattuck taught Extension short courses on speech and drama at teacher training seminars across the state, and created “The Little Country Theatre” as an Iowa State Fair exhibit in 1921.6 This was a one-act play presented free to the public and continued for eight years. She founded the Iowa State Players in 1914 to provide students with opportunities to participate in a variety of plays.7 The Players faced difficulties at the start, having to move from location to location on campus, but eventually were given the former sheep judging barn for rehearsals and to store materials.8 Shattuck produced, directed, and staged theatre productions for over twenty years.
Shattuck also served as Dean of Women for a period. Roy Burroughs, former rector of St. John’s by the Campus, had the following to say about her service in that capacity: “For a short time Miss Shattuck was acting Dean of Women, and in that capacity she did excellent work in bringing up to date some of the rules that governed the women students. This she did by enforcing some of those out-dated rules. Naturally this brought her some criticism, but [by] those who knew what she was trying to do she was much appreciated. Many foolish rules were changed or discarded at that time.”9
She was a member of the Speech Association of America, which she helped found in 1915, a member of Phi Kappa Phi, and the American Association of University Women. She was included in the first edition of Who’s Who of American Women (1959) and was a charter member of the Iowa State Chapter of Mortar Board. Shattuck was awarded the Alumni Faculty Citation in 1953. The campus theater (the former sheep judging barn) was later named after her - a bronze plaque was installed in the lobby of what was formerly the called the Theatre Workshop in 1961, thereafter known as Shattuck Theatre.10
Shattuck was a member of the Iowa State faculty for 50 years.11 She continued to be involved with Iowa State until her death – she had been scheduled to have a part-time appointment for two months in the spring of 1970.12 Shattuck died on November 20, 1969, in Ames, Iowa.13
Frank Brandt, James Lowrie, and W. R. Underhill, “Memorial Resolution – Fredrica V. Shattuck” (memorial resolution, Iowa State University, 1969). Box 1, Folder 1, Fredrica V. Shattuck Papers, RS 13/23/51, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Iowa State University Library.
Untitled (memorial resolution draft, Iowa State University, 1969). Box 1, Folder 1, Fredrica V. Shattuck Papers, RS 13/23/51, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Iowa State University Library.
Ibid.
Mary Jane Miles, “Browsing Library Becomes a Reality,” Iowa State Daily (Ames, IA), Apr. 5, 1956.
–
Frank Brandt, James Lowrie, and W. R. Underhill, “Memorial Resolution – Fredrica V. Shattuck” (memorial resolution, Iowa State University, 1969). Box 1, Folder 1, Fredrica V. Shattuck Papers, RS 13/23/51, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Iowa State University Library.
Connie Sherod, “’Players’ Founder Recalls Lean Years for Group, Hotel Fare Was Feast,” Iowa State Daily (Ames, IA), Oct. 22, 1959.
Roy Burroughs, reminiscence on Fredrica Shattuck, Nov. 22, 1969.
“Players to Honor Fredrica Shattuck,” The Iowa State Daily (Ames, IA), Jan. 14, 1961.
Information Service, “Former ISU Department Head, Fredrica Shattuck, Dies,” (press release, Iowa State University, 1969). Box 1, Folder 1, Fredrica V. Shattuck Papers, RS 13/23/51, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Iowa State University Library.
“Iowa State University Staff Personnel Action Sheet” (form, Iowa State University, 1969). Box 1, Folder 1, Fredrica V. Shattuck Papers, RS 13/23/51, Special Collections and University Archives Department, Iowa State University Library.
“Miss Shattuck Dies at Ames” Des Moines Register (Des Moines, IA), Nov. 21, 1969.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0)
