Hammer Theatre Explained

Hammer Theatre Center
Image Alt:	The main entrance to the Hammer Theatre Center
Former Names:	(1997-2014)
Address:	101 Paseo de San Antonio
City:	San Jose, California
Country:	USA
Location:	Downtown San Jose
Opened:	March 2016

The 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. 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
• Hammer 4
• Café
• Lounge
• Rooftop Terrace
• Dressing rooms
• Bar/concessions area
• 2nd floor lobby
• Outside balconies^{[7] [8]}

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^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: San Jose Repertory Theatre Records. www.oac.cdlib.org. 2018-05-11.
2. News: City, San Jose State see Hammer as a theater of possibilities. 2016-11-10. The Mercury News. 2018-05-11. en-US.
3. News: San Jose Rep closes curtain after 34 years. SFGate. 2018-05-11.
4. Web site: https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/10/26/the-new-hammer-theatre-heressjsus-game-plan-to.html. www.bizjournals.com. 2020-02-06.
5. Web site: Hammer Theatre San Jose State University C2SV Venue Opportunities Silicon Valley Metroactive. www.metroactive.com. 2018-05-12.
6. News: Can Hammer Theatre comeback turn around San Jose arts scene?. 2016-11-16. The Mercury News. 2018-05-11. en-US.
7. Web site: Hammer Theatre Center. www.sjsu.edu. en-US. 2018-05-11.
8. Web site: Hammer Theatre Center - Bay Area Performing Arts Spaces. bayareaspaces.org. 2020-02-06.
9. Web site: About – Hammer Theatre Center. en-US. 2020-02-06.