She felt a strong social commitment and used the pulpit for preaching other topics than religion, such as women's and children's rights.

Fredrikke Nielsen had her debut at The Norwegian Theatre (Det norske Theater) in Bergen December 14, 1853, in the play How she can lie.

She quickly won the hearts of the Bergen audience and professor in art history, Lorentz Dietrichson, called her «Poetry personified on stage».

She was a highly respected tragedienne, and played several important roles, such as Rosalind in Shakespeare's As You Like It and Hjørdis in Ibsen's The Vikings at Helgeland.

During the premiere of The Feast at Solhaug, she writes that Ibsen approached her as she walked nervously in the wings waiting for her cue.

He has, specifically referring to the later contemporary dramas, added a chapter where he strongly suggests that Fredrikke may have inspired the playwright.

Examples of close biographical connections with Ibsen's female dramatic characters can be found in plays like: Olaf Liljekrans, The Vikings at Helgeland, Love's Comedy, Ghosts, The Wild Duck, The Lady from the Sea and When We Dead Awaken.

She stood in line with ten thousands of other people who wanted to show their respect at his lit de parade.

They lived in Trondheime until 1876, when she was hired by the new National Stage (Den Nationale Scene) in Bergen, and the family moved back to her hometown.

On October 27, 1876, Fredrikke Nielsen played Hjørdis in Ibsen's The Vikings at Helgeland at the opening show at The National Stage in Bergen.

Fredrikke Nielsen had probably recognized aspects of herself in the play's protagonist, Svanhild, when the controversial piece came out, and therefore had learned all the lines, but no theaters dared to put it up.

The following year, she left her position at The National Stage, and June 17, 1880, she made her last performance, as Miss Bernick in Ibsen's The Pillars of Society.

Henrik Ibsen wrote a song for the occasion: Upon the stage — it's by ancient lore — The play can properly be ended When the conquering hero's come home from war And won his "She", his intended!