Hammer Theatre is a performance venue in Downtown San José. Located on the Paseo de San Antonio, the theatre is operated by San José State University.

History

The Hammer Theatre began as a home for the San José Repertory Theatre Company, which was founded in 1980. The company became known during its early years as the fastest-growing professional theater company in the U.S. To have a theatrical home, the company collaborated with the San José Redevelopment Agency to build the Hammer Theatre in downtown San Jose. The Hammer Theatre, named after former mayor

Susan Hammer Susan Walker Hammer (December 21, 1938 – March 7, 2020) was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party, who served as the mayor of San Jose, California, from 1991 to 1999. She was voted best local politician six times. Pre ...

and her husband, Phil Hammer, was completed in 1997. In June 2014, the San José Repertory Company declared

bankruptcy Bankruptcy is a legal process through which people or other entities who cannot repay debts to creditors may seek relief from some or all of their debts. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor ...

and the Hammer Theatre was shuttered. Efforts to reopen the venue resulted in a partnership between San José State University and the city of San José. The Hammer Theatre reopened in March 2016.

Facilities

* Sobrato Auditorium * Hammer 4 * Café * Lounge * Rooftop Terrace * Dressing rooms * Bar/concessions area * 2nd floor lobby * Outside balconies

Event types

The Hammer Theatre hosts the following seven categories of entertainment: * SJSU@Hammer -- San Jose State University music, theater, dance and guest speaker events * Lights & Action -- Live theater and off-Broadway theatrical productions * Music w/o Borders -- Musical performances from around the world * ArtTech -- Arts, technology and/or multi-media performances * Hammer Speaks -- Educational lecture series, including National Geographic Live and the Sundance Film Institute * Holidays@Hammer -- Holiday-related musical, theater and dance performances * Dance -- Dance performances

References

{{reflist San Jose State University Theatres in San Jose, California