Faces to Watch in ’92 : These are the people Calendar’s critics and writers think you’ll be hearing about in 1992. In some cases, they’re familiar people who will experience a transitional year. Some are newcomers who could have a breakthrough year. : DAVID STEEN

Talented playwrights are rare, especially those happy writing for the stage when its promise of monetary rewards remains slim. But 37-year-old David Steen, who gave us a staggering portrait of urban dysfunction in “Avenue A” at the CAST Theatre last year, and a brooding first play of evil in Appalachia in “A Gift From Heaven” at the Chamber Theatre in 1988, makes playwriting a primary pursuit, even as his talents as performer, director and producer expand exponentially. He just finished playing a farm hand in the Gary Sinise film version of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.” He’s putting together a London production of “Avenue A” that has the attention of producer Duncan Weldon and actors Bob Hoskins and Jeff Fahey. Director Peter Masterson wants to direct the film version of “A Gift From Heaven,” which David Rowe (“My Brilliant Career”), Evson Kohler and Fahey will co-produce. Meanwhile, Steen has an idea for his next play and can’t wait to finish a screenplay for producer Jack Lucarelli so he can get to it.