Stefan Haves is an award-winning theatre and Cirque director, international bestselling author, and global public speaker whose career spans more than four decades of transformative performance work. A native of Los Angeles, he studied clown in Europe before making his way to Cirque du Soleil, where he directed and devised comic acts for landmark productions including Kooza, Iris, and Drawn to Life. Recruited as a comic act designer, casting partner, and master teacher, he also collaborated with clowns Bill Irwin and David Shiner on the Tony Award-winning Broadway show Fool Moon.

His book The Power of HA! shares comic insights and techniques drawn from his own sideshow odyssey, exploring imagination, humor, empathy, and connection. He is recognized as an international bestselling author, and the book reflects his lifelong mission to explore the healing and humanizing power of laughter.

As a sought-after public speaker and master teacher, Haves has made personal appearances for blue-chip companies such as PepsiCo, Disney, and the Bombay Stock Exchange, and leads masterclasses worldwide. Over his career, he has coached and directed thousands of world-class performers globally, including Joan Baez, Tim Robbins, and Val Kilmer.

Beyond the stage and the lecture circuit, Stefan is deeply committed to community and youth empowerment. He co-created Pomo Summer Arts, a free circus and arts camp serving indigenous youth in Mendocino County, California. The camp provides exposure to the healing power of dance, music, crafts, theatre, and circus arts—all at no cost to participants.