If you want to go the lo tech way....what we have done in the past is
1)
build your stairs
2) skin them all the way around but leave the back open
3) put your steps on casters
4) add a back "panel" or door that opens and closes to give that finished look to your stairs from all sides but still giving access to the inside of the stairs
5) place some metal handles inside the stairs, on the frame work, for gripping
6) place a 2X4 across the center (where the "floor" would be)or you can use two and put one towards the front and one towards the back of the stairs (again where the "floor" would be) giving a crew member a
foot rest and or a
foot and toosh rest
7) load the stairs with your favorite (or least favorite) crew member, they use the two by four on the bottom of the stairs to place their feet and toosh on like a chair
8) close the back panel and push prop into place
9) the crew member inside puts feet on the floor (like the Flinstones used their feet to as breaks in their cars) and use the handles to get a good
grip on the frame work of the stairs
basic, but really works well....especially when on a budget or can't find the right materials and you are on a time crunch....good luck
Joe