A stage assembly comprising: a scissor lift comprising: a base portion configured to be supported on a floor or other support surface; a top portion configured to support a platform; a scissor arm assembly connecting the base portion and the top portion, the scissor arm assembly comprising two subassemblies (130a, 130b) each subassembly comprising at least one pair of crossed arms connected at a pivot point to form a scissor (131, 132); a rigid chain lifting system comprising a rigid chain connecting the base portion and the top portion, wherein the scissor lift is configured such that extension and retraction of the rigid chain causes the top portion to rise and fall with respect to the base portion; and characterized by a plurality of bracing plates extending between corresponding locations on the respective subassemblies (130a, 130b), the bracing plates each comprising an upper plate and angled side plates extending obliquely downward from the upper plate towards the arms of the respective scissor arm subassemblies, and flanges connecting the angled side plates to the scissor arm subassemblies (130a, 130b); wherein the width of the upper plates in a direction between the arms of the respective scissor arm subassemblies progressively increases from a lowermost bracing plate to an uppermost bracing plate, so that when the lift is in a lowermost position, each bracing plate is nested within the bracing plate immediately above it; wherein the uppermost arms of each subassembly (130a, 130b) comprise a support arm pivotally attached between the respective uppermost arm and the top portion, and wherein at least one of the lowermost arms of each subassembly (130a, 130b) comprise a support arm pivotally attached between the respective lowermost arm and the base portion. a scissor lift comprising: a base portion configured to be supported on a floor or other support surface; a top portion configured to support a platform; a scissor arm assembly connecting the base portion and the top portion, the scissor arm assembly comprising two subassemblies (130a, 130b) each subassembly comprising at least one pair of crossed arms connected at a pivot point to form a scissor (131, 132); a rigid chain lifting system comprising a rigid chain connecting the base portion and the top portion, wherein the scissor lift is configured such that extension and retraction of the rigid chain causes the top portion to rise and fall with respect to the base portion; and characterized by a plurality of bracing plates extending between corresponding locations on the respective subassemblies (130a, 130b), the bracing plates each comprising an upper plate and angled side plates extending obliquely downward from the upper plate towards the arms of the respective scissor arm subassemblies, and flanges connecting the angled side plates to the scissor arm subassemblies (130a, 130b); wherein the width of the upper plates in a direction between the arms of the respective scissor arm subassemblies progressively increases from a lowermost bracing plate to an uppermost bracing plate, so that when the lift is in a lowermost position, each bracing plate is nested within the bracing plate immediately above it; a base portion configured to be supported on a floor or other support surface; a top portion configured to support a platform; a scissor arm assembly connecting the base portion and the top portion, the scissor arm assembly comprising two subassemblies (130a, 130b) each subassembly comprising at least one pair of crossed arms connected at a pivot point to form a scissor (131, 132); a rigid chain lifting system comprising a rigid chain connecting the base portion and the top portion, wherein the scissor lift is configured such that extension and retraction of the rigid chain causes the top portion to rise and fall with respect to the base portion; and characterized by a plurality of bracing plates extending between corresponding locations on the respective subassemblies (130a, 130b), the bracing plates each comprising an upper plate and angled side plates extending obliquely downward from the upper plate towards the arms of the respective scissor arm subassemblies, and flanges connecting the angled side plates to the scissor arm subassemblies (130a, 130b); wherein the width of the upper plates in a direction between the arms of the respective scissor arm subassemblies progressively increases from a lowermost bracing plate to an uppermost bracing plate, so that when the lift is in a lowermost position, each bracing plate is nested within the bracing plate immediately above it; wherein the uppermost arms of each subassembly (130a, 130b) comprise a support arm pivotally attached between the respective uppermost arm and the top portion, and wherein at least one of the lowermost arms of each subassembly (130a, 130b) comprise a support arm pivotally attached between the respective lowermost arm and the base portion.