Hammer Theatre

Hammer Theatre Center
	The main entrance to the Hammer Theatre Center
Former names	San Jose Repertory Theatre; (1997-2014)
Address	101 Paseo de San Antonio; San Jose, California; USA
Location	Downtown San Jose
Coordinates	37°20′02″N 121°53′12″W / 37.33375°N 121.88653°W
Public transit	Paseo de San Antonio station
Owner	City of San Jose
Operator	San Jose State University;
Construction
Opened	1997
Reopened	March 2016
Website
	hammertheatre.com

The Susan and Phil Hammer Theatre Center (a.k.a. Hammer Theatre or Hammer Theatre Center) 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 Center 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.^{[citation needed]} To have a theatrical home, the company collaborated with the San José Redevelopment Agency to build the Hammer Theatre in downtown San Jose.^[1] The Hammer Theatre, named after former mayor Susan Hammer and her husband, Phil Hammer, was completed in 1997.^[2]

In June 2014, the San José Repertory Company declared bankruptcy and the building that is now the Hammer Theatre Center was shuttered.^[3]^[4]

Efforts to reopen the venue resulted in a partnership between San José State University and the city of San José.^[5] The Hammer Theatre reopened in March 2016.^[6]

Facilities

Sobrato Auditorium, a theatrical auditorium space that seats up to 520.
Hammer 4(sometimes stylized as Hammer4), a black box performance space that can fit up to 120 seats.
Curtain Call Café, a ground floor space with a bar for special gatherings
Mercury News Lounge, a second floor loungs with a bar for private parties.
Rooftop Terrace attached to the Hammer4 studio
Dressing rooms located in the basement for performers
Bar/concessions area located near the front entrance in the lobby
2nd floor lobby, home to the Hammer2 Gallery that features a rotating display of artwork by San José State University alumni.^[7]
Outside balconies^[8]^[9]

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^[10]

References

^ "San Jose Repertory Theatre Records". www.oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
^ "City, San Jose State see Hammer as a theater of possibilities". The Mercury News. 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
^ "San Jose Rep closes curtain after 34 years". SFGate. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
^ "The new Hammer Theatre — Here's SJSU's game plan to make it work". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
^ "Hammer Theatre | San Jose State University | C2SV | Venue Opportunities | Silicon Valley | Metroactive". www.metroactive.com. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
^ "Can Hammer Theatre comeback turn around San Jose arts scene?". The Mercury News. 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
^ "H2 Gallery - Hammer Theatre Center". hammertheatre.com. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
^ "Hammer Theatre Center". www.sjsu.edu. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
^ "Hammer Theatre Center - Bay Area Performing Arts Spaces (Wayback Machine)". Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
^ "About – Hammer Theatre Center". Retrieved 2020-02-06.

[1] "San Jose Repertory Theatre Records". www.oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2018-05-11.

[2] "City, San Jose State see Hammer as a theater of possibilities". The Mercury News. 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2018-05-11.

[3] "San Jose Rep closes curtain after 34 years". SFGate. Retrieved 2018-05-11.

[4] "The new Hammer Theatre — Here's SJSU's game plan to make it work". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2020-02-06.

[5] "Hammer Theatre | San Jose State University | C2SV | Venue Opportunities | Silicon Valley | Metroactive". www.metroactive.com. Retrieved 2018-05-12.

[6] "Can Hammer Theatre comeback turn around San Jose arts scene?". The Mercury News. 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2018-05-11.

[7] "H2 Gallery - Hammer Theatre Center". hammertheatre.com. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

[8] "Hammer Theatre Center". www.sjsu.edu. Retrieved 2018-05-11.

[9] "Hammer Theatre Center - Bay Area Performing Arts Spaces (Wayback Machine)". Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 2025-02-10.

[10] "About – Hammer Theatre Center". Retrieved 2020-02-06.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]