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.

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.^{[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 Hammer Theatre 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]

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

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]