Dimensions in Testimony: a Holographic Theater Experience at the Virginia Holocaust Museum

Using groundbreaking technology developed by the USC Shoah Foundation, visitors engage in a live, interactive conversation with Holocaust survivors and a U.S. Army liberator. Through advanced voice recognition and thousands of hours of recorded testimony, each participant responds naturally to audience questions, creating an experience that feels remarkably personal.

Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to the Museum, Dimensions in Testimony offers a powerful opportunity to connect with history in a deeply human way.

Dimensions in Testimony combines artificial intelligence, voice-recognition technology, and high-definition video to preserve the voices of Holocaust survivors for future generations.

Before filming, each survivor participated in thousands of interview sessions, answering more than a thousand questions about every aspect of their lives. During your visit, you simply ask a question aloud. The system identifies the closest matching response, allowing the survivor to answer in their own voice and with their own memories.

While the responses are pre-recorded, the conversations feel authentic, unscripted, and deeply personal.

Every conversation is different. Visitors ask questions about topics including:

• Childhood before World War II
• The rise of Nazi persecution
• Ghettos, hiding, and concentration camps
• Liberation and rebuilding their lives
• Family, resilience, forgiveness, and hope
• Why remembering the Holocaust still matters today

No two presentations are exactly alike because the audience guides the conversation.

Throughout the year, visitors have the opportunity to interact with four Holocaust survivors and one U.S. Army liberator whose firsthand experiences preserve the history of the Holocaust for future generations.

Our featured participants include:

• Pinchas Gutter
• Halina Zimm
• Eva Kor
• Alan Moskin (U.S. Army Liberator)
• Anita Lasker-Wallfisch

View Survivor Biographies →

Dimensions in Testimony has been featured nationally for its innovative approach to preserving Holocaust testimony and ensuring that future generations can continue learning directly from survivors long after they are gone.

Dimensions in Testimony is an initiative of the USC Shoah Foundation that preserves the stories of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses to genocide through interactive biographies.

The project was developed in collaboration with the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, and Conscience Display, with support from the Pears Foundation and other partners.

By combining survivor testimony with emerging technology, Dimensions in Testimony helps ensure these voices continue to educate and inspire future generations.

What is Dimensions in Testimony?

Dimensions in Testimony is an interactive theater experience created by the USC Shoah Foundation that allows visitors to engage with recorded testimony from Holocaust survivors and a U.S. Army liberator. Using advanced technology, visitors can ask questions and receive responses based on thousands of recorded interviews.

Can I actually talk to a Holocaust survivor through Dimensions in Testimony?

While the survivors are not physically present, Dimensions in Testimony creates the experience of a conversation by allowing visitors to ask questions and hear responses in the survivor’s own voice. Each response comes directly from recorded testimony.

How does Dimensions in Testimony work?

Before filming, each participant completed extensive interview sessions, answering thousands of questions about their life experiences. During your visit, voice-recognition technology identifies your question and selects the most relevant recorded response from the survivor’s testimony.

Who is featured in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Dimensions in Testimony Theater?

The Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Dimensions in Testimony Theater features four Holocaust survivors and one U.S. Army liberator: Pinchas Gutter, Halina Zimm, Eva Kor, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, and Alan Moskin.

How long does the Dimensions in Testimony experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 30–45 minutes.

Do I need a separate ticket for Dimensions in Testimony?

No. Dimensions in Testimony is included with regular Museum admission.

Do I need a reservation for Dimensions in Testimony?

Yes. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Visitors can reserve seats at the Guest Services Desk when they arrive at the Museum.

What time are Dimensions in Testimony presentations offered?

Presentations are offered daily on the hour from 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM.

Is Dimensions in Testimony appropriate for students?

Yes. Dimensions in Testimony is a powerful educational experience for middle school students, high school students, college groups, and adult visitors. It provides a meaningful opportunity to learn directly from firsthand survivor testimony.

Why is Dimensions in Testimony important?

As Holocaust survivors become fewer in number, preserving their voices is essential. Dimensions in Testimony ensures that future generations can continue learning from survivors’ experiences and understanding the human impact of the Holocaust.

How is Dimensions in Testimony different from watching a documentary?

Unlike a traditional film, Dimensions in Testimony allows visitors to guide the conversation by asking questions. Each visitor’s experience is different because the questions shape the testimony they hear.