By SUSAN PARK

Bathhouse Theatre's founding artistic director, Arne Zaslov, made an urgent plea to the Green Lake Community Council on Jan. 13 for help in raising funds to keep the community theatre in business.

Although the theatre has worked its way up from obscurity since its founding 20 years ago to become a landmark in the community, the theatre has continuously struggled amidst competition from other mid-sized theaters. Rising production costs, mounting repairs, and a growing deficit that Zaslov says is to the tune of about $270,000 are plaguing the non-profit company.

Zaslov was hoping to erase his debt by partnering with One Reel Production Company to produce Teatro Zin Zanni this fall. One Reel had promised to not only renovate the building, but also pay off much of the Bathhouse's debt. However, due to shoreline regulations and public protests, the One Reel Company was forced to find another location.

Although the historic Bathhouse building itself is owned by the City of Seattle's Parks and Recreation Department, the Bathhouse Theatre leases the space as a concessionaire. The theatre group is also responsible for the immense task of making repairs to the historic building which needs a new roof, plumbing, and electrical work along with numerous cosmetic repairs.

This was not always the case, says Zaslov. When the theatre group first began in 1979, it was operated by the Parks Department. Even Zaslov drew a salary as a paid Parks employee along with six other permanent staff. As part of the City, the Bathhouse had the advantage of the use of the "company" truck, office supplies, phones, and administrative services.

Now, the burden of operating and repairing the building falls on the shoulders of the Bathhouse Theater Group, a non-profit community theater that by its very nature is not a money-maker, but more of a community service. A recent expenditure of $26,000 to create wheelchair accessible ramps was carried on the backs of the Bathhouse.

Zaslov says part of the problem is that The Bathhouse Theater is classified as a concessionare, "the same as a hot-dog vendor or coffee stand." That means they must pay 1 percent of all gross earnings to the City, whether from donations or ticket sales. As a result, The Bathhouse Theater owes the city over $16,000 in back rent and miscellaneous office costs, says Zaslov.

In a letter to Mayor Paul Schell, James M. Going, president of the board of directors of the Bathhouse, points out the irony that the City is willing to "work on a $118 million dollar symphony hall - and let three of its four remaining midsized theaters fold." Going lists the demise of the Group Theatre and CenterStage as two of the failed theaters.

Zaslov is currently negotiating with the City to be reclassified as a non-concessionare and be forgiven of their debt to the city. The Bathhouse Theater is looking at various options to repair the building, including applying for a Neighborhood Matching Grant. "If they would award it, I know I could raise the money to match it," says Zaslov, who says Green Lake based companies such as Vitamilk have constantly come to his rescue.

Meredith Church, owner of Six Degrees, says she and other area restaurants would also be willing to help The Bathhouse raise funds. Church had said last summer at a public meeting on the One Reel project that her restaurant is frequently filled with theatre-goers on performance nights.

The Bathhouse Theatre is located at 7312 West Greenlake Drive North. The Administrative Office can be reached at 783-0053 and the Box Office at 524-9108.