Ariano Suassuna (born João Pessoa, 1927) is a Brazilian playwright and author. Four of his plays have been filmed and he is considered one of Brazil's greatest living playwrights. He is also an important regional writer doing various novels set in the Northeast of Brazil. He received an honorary doctorate at a ceremony performed at a circus. He is the author of, among other works, the "Auto da Compadecida" and "A Pedra do Reino". He is a staunch defender of the culture of the Northeast, and his works deal with the popular culture of the Northeast.