Michael Pedretti

Michael Pedretti writes at the crossroads of history, memory, and imagination. He is the author of six books tracing the thousand‑year journey of an immigrant family, seven collections of poetry, and the definitive chronicle of Movement Theatre International’s Mime and Clown Festivals. His work has appeared in journals across the U.S. and Europe.

Pedretti grew up on a Wisconsin farm his family tended for more than a century, listening to stories told by his grandfather—the first American‑born Pedretti, born before Lincoln took office. The rhythms of farm life, the old skills passed down through generations, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people shape the characters who inhabit his books.

Before turning full‑time to writing, he directed more than sixty theater productions and produced international festivals that brought artists from thirty countries to American stages. His work has been recognized by many experts, the NEA, regional arts councils, and numerous Who’s Who directories.

He has traveled widely, eaten well, and continues to believe that every life contains a story worth telling.